Which term describes a polysaccharide made entirely of glucose units?

Prepare for your Ontario Grade 11 University Biology Exam. Enhance your understanding with flashcards and multiple choice questions designed with explanations. Ace your exam!

The term that describes a polysaccharide made entirely of glucose units is glycogen. Glycogen serves as a form of energy storage in animals and is composed of numerous glucose molecules linked together. It is highly branched, which allows for rapid release of glucose when the body needs energy. This characteristic structure makes glycogen an efficient way for organisms to manage and use energy reserves.

Cellulose, although a polysaccharide made of glucose units, has a different arrangement and is primarily found in plant cell walls, contributing to structural support rather than energy storage. Starch, like glycogen, is also a polysaccharide made of glucose units, but it is primarily found in plants as an energy reserve. Sucrose, on the other hand, is a disaccharide composed of one glucose unit and one fructose unit, not a polysaccharide. Thus, glycogen is the most accurate term to describe the polysaccharide that consists entirely of glucose units.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy