Starch is an example of a _______.

• A. oligosaccharide
• B. polysaccharide
• C. disaccharide
• D. monosaccharide

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the classification of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are divided into monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides based on the number of sugar units they contain.
2. Step 2: Recall the definition of a polysaccharide. Polysaccharides are large molecules composed of many monosaccharide units linked together by glycosidic bonds. Examples include starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
3. Step 3: Identify the structure and function of starch. Starch is a storage polysaccharide found in plants, consisting of two components: amylose (linear chains of glucose) and amylopectin (branched chains of glucose).
4. Step 4: Compare starch to the other carbohydrate types listed in the options. Monosaccharides are single sugar units (e.g., glucose), disaccharides are composed of two sugar units (e.g., sucrose), and oligosaccharides contain 3-10 sugar units. Starch, being composed of many glucose units, fits the definition of a polysaccharide.
5. Step 5: Conclude that starch is classified as a polysaccharide based on its structure and the number of sugar units it contains.