Let me share with you a comparison between Starch and Cellulose.
| Aspect | Starch | Cellulose |
| Structural Composition | Homopolysaccharide composed of glucose monomers | Homopolysaccharide composed of glucose monomers |
| Linkage Between Monomers | α-1,4-glycosidic linkage | β-1,4-glycosidic linkage |
| Linear or Branched | Can be linear or branched | Linear |
| Digestibility | Digestible by enzymes (amylase) in the digestive system | Generally not digestible by mammalian enzymes |
| Function in Plants | Storage polysaccharide in plant cells (energy reserve) | Structural component in plant cell walls |
| Solubility in Water | soluble i | Insoluble |
| Helical or Straight Chain | Can form a helical structure | Straight-chain structure |
| Location in Cells | Stored in chloroplasts (in plants) and inclusions in cytoplasm (in non-photosynthetic cells) | Main component of plant cell walls |
| Biological Role in Humans | Major source of carbohydrates in the human diet | Provides dietary fiber and aids in digestion |
| Reaction with Iodine | Gives blue colour | Gives no colour |
| Sources | · Wheat
· Rice · Corn · Potatoes · Legumes · Tubers |
· Cell walls of fruits, vegetables and whole grains |