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The carbohydrates which are not used immediately are stored in the form of ________, which serves as the internal energy reserve to be used as and when required by the plant.
glucose
cellulose
starch
glycogen
starch
In plants, glucose produced during photosynthesis that is not immediately used for metabolic processes or growth is converted into starch. Starch acts as a polysaccharide energy reserve stored in various plant tissues, such as roots, tubers, and seeds, and is broken down into glucose when the plant requires energy.
In plants, glucose produced during photosynthesis that is not immediately used for metabolic processes or growth is converted into starch. Starch acts as a polysaccharide energy reserve stored in various plant tissues, such as roots, tubers, and seeds, and is broken down into glucose when the plant requires energy.
Think of glucose as 'cash' that the plant needs to spend immediately for daily operations, while starch is the 'savings account' where excess energy is deposited for long-term or future use.
6CO2тАЛ+6H2тАЛOlightтАЛC6тАЛH12тАЛO6тАЛ+6O2тАЛ тАФ Photosynthesis reaction producing glucose
(C6тАЛH10тАЛO5тАЛ)nтАЛ тАФ General chemical formula for Starch
Photosynthesis produces glucose as the primary carbohydrate: 6CO2тАЛ+6H2тАЛO+lightтЖТC6тАЛH12тАЛO6тАЛ+6O2тАЛ. Since storing high concentrations of soluble glucose creates osmotic stress within plant cells, plants polymerize glucose into insoluble starch ((C6тАЛH10тАЛO5тАЛ)nтАЛ). This starch is stored in specialized organelles called amyloplasts, providing a stable, compact, and non-reactive energy source.
Glucose is the primary simple sugar produced during photosynthesis.
Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units connected by ╬▒-glycosidic bonds.
Storage in starch form prevents osmotic damage to plant cells compared to soluble glucose.
Animals store excess glucose as glycogen, not starch.
High energy density
Insoluble in water (low osmotic impact)
Energy supply during germination of seeds
Metabolic fuel for plant survival during non-photosynthetic periods (e.g., night time)
| Feature | Plants | Animals |
|---|---|---|
Energy Storage Form | Starch | Glycogen |
Glucose is a monosaccharide (C6тАЛH12тАЛO6тАЛ), while starch is a polysaccharide.
Option A (glucose) is the immediate product, not the storage form. Option B (cellulose) is a structural component of cell walls. Option D (glycogen) is the energy storage form found in fungi and animals.
C is correct тАФ Carbohydrates are stored in the form of starch in plants to serve as a long-term energy reserve.
Remember: Plants = Starch; Animals/Fungi = Glycogen. This distinction is a frequently tested topic in biology!