Humans can digest starch but not cellulose because ________.
A) humans have enzymes that can hydrolyze the α-glycosidic linkages of starch but not the β-glycosidic linkages of cellulose
B) humans have enzymes that can hydrolyze the β-glycosidic linkages of starch but not the α-glycosidic linkages of cellulose
C) starch monomers are joined by covalent bonds and cellulose monomers are joined by ionic bonds
D) the monomer of starch is glucose, while the monomer of cellulose is galactose
E) the monomer of starch is fructose, while the monomer of cellulose is glucose

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Humans have enzymes called amylases that can hydrolyze the α-glycosidic linkages in starch, breaking it down into glucose molecules. However, humans lack the enzymes necessary to hydrolyze the β-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, so they cannot digest it.

Humans Can Digest Starch but Not Cellulose Because ________