Statement I: Amylose is a branched chain polymer of α-D-glucose units in which branching occurs by C1–C6 glycosidic linkage.
Statement II: Glycogen is also known as animal starch because its structure is similar to amylopectin and is rather more highly branched.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Only Statement II is correct.
Starch has two components. Amylose is a long unbranched chain of α-D-glucose units; amylopectin is branched. The C1–C6 branches belong to amylopectin and, even more, to glycogen.
Statement I: Amylose is a branched chain polymer of α-D-glucose units in which branching occurs by C1–C6 glycosidic linkage. — False. Amylose is a long unbranched chain of 200–1000 α-D-(+)-glucose units held together by C1–C4 glycosidic linkage.
Branching by C1–C6 linkage is found in amylopectin.
Statement II: Glycogen is also known as animal starch because its structure is similar to amylopectin and is rather more highly branched. — True. Glycogen is the form in which carbohydrates are stored in the animal body; its branched structure is like amylopectin, with even more branches.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
10.1.4 Polysaccharides – “…Chemically amylose is a long unbranched chain with 200-1000 α-D-(+)-glucose units held together by C1– C4 glycosidic linkage.”
“Amylopectin is insoluble in water and constitutes about 80- 85% of starch. It is a branched chain polymer of α-D-glucose units in which chain is formed by C1–C4 glycosidic linkage whereas branching occurs by C1–C6 glycosidic linkage.”
“(iii) Glycogen: The carbohydrates are stored in animal body as glycogen. It is also known as animal starch because its structure is similar to amylopectin and is rather more highly branched.”