Question

The advantage(s) of storing chemical energy in the form of starch and not as free glucose is/are that it ...........

• A. minimizes diffusion
• B. enables compact storage
• C. reduces osmotic pressure
• D. protects against chemical reactivity of aldehyde groups

Hint:

Storing energy as starch helps prevent osmotic stress in cells, as starch is insoluble in water and does not contribute to osmotic pressure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C, D

Step 1: Understanding the benefits of starch.
Starch is a polysaccharide that serves as a more stable form of energy storage compared to free glucose. It is insoluble in water, which reduces osmotic pressure in cells.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) minimizes diffusion: Incorrect — Diffusion is not a primary factor in energy storage.
(B) enables compact storage: Incorrect — Starch is indeed compact, but this is not the primary reason for its use.
(C) reduces osmotic pressure: Correct — By storing energy as starch (a polymer), cells avoid the osmotic effects that free glucose would have.
(D) protects against chemical reactivity of aldehyde groups: Incorrect — The chemical reactivity of glucose's aldehyde group is not a major concern in energy storage.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) reduces osmotic pressure, as starch helps avoid osmotic effects that free glucose would cause.