Which of the following polysaccharides is the most highly branched?

• A. Cellulose
• B. Glycogen
• C. Amylopectin
• D. Amylose

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They differ in their branching patterns and functions.
2. Analyze cellulose: Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. It consists of β-glucose units linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds and has a linear structure with no branching.
3. Examine amylose and amylopectin: Amylose is a component of starch and has a linear structure with α-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Amylopectin, another component of starch, is branched with α-1,6 glycosidic bonds occurring approximately every 24–30 glucose units.
4. Evaluate glycogen: Glycogen is the storage polysaccharide in animals. It is highly branched, with α-1,6 glycosidic bonds occurring approximately every 8–12 glucose units, making it more branched than amylopectin.
5. Compare branching patterns: Based on the branching frequency, glycogen is the most highly branched polysaccharide among the options provided.