Following complete hydrolysis of a sample of glycogen and a sample of cellulose, which statement must be TRUE?
A) The glycogen sample is more soluble than the cellulose sample.
B) The cellulose sample is more soluble than the glycogen sample.
C) Both samples consist of a mixture of $\alpha$-D-glucose and $\beta$-D-glucose.
D) The glycogen sample has a higher ratio of $\alpha$-D-glucose than the cellulose sample.
E) The cellulose sample contains only $\beta$-D-glucose.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both glycogen and cellulose are composed of glucose monomers, but the glycosidic linkages between them differ. Glycogen is composed of alpha-linkages and cellulose is composed of beta-linkages. Complete hydrolysis of both samples would yield a mixture of alpha- and beta-D-glucose monomers, resulting in choice C being the correct answer. Solubility is not related to the type of linkages present in a carbohydrate.

Following Complete Hydrolysis of a Sample of Glycogen and a Sample