Question

Identify the hydrolysis product of starch.

• A. Glucose
• B. Fructose
• C. Galactose
• D. Ribose

Hint:

Keep in mind that starch, glycogen, and cellulose are all homopolymers of glucose. Therefore, the complete hydrolysis of any of these three major polysaccharides will always yield pure glucose!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the fundamental monomeric unit that is released when starch undergoes complete chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Starch is a complex polysaccharide carbohydrate. It consists of two structural components: amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched).
Both of these polymeric components are built entirely from repeating units of $\alpha$-D-glucose linked by glycosidic bonds.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
When starch is subjected to complete hydrolysis using dilute acids or enzymes (like amylase followed by maltase), all the $\alpha$-1,4 and $\alpha$-1,6 glycosidic bonds are broken.
Since the entire macromolecule is constructed purely from glucose molecules, breaking it down completely will yield only free glucose units.
The generalized chemical equation for this reaction is:
$$(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{10}\text{O}_5)_n + n\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow n\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$$
Where the product $n\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$ represents glucose monomers.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The exclusive hydrolysis product of starch is glucose, matching option (A).