FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

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What are the two main components of starch that affect its solubility?

  1. Amylose and cellulose

  2. Cellulose and amylopectin

  3. Amylose and amylopectin

  4. Glycogen and amylose

The correct answer is: Amylose and amylopectin

The two main components of starch that affect its solubility are amylose and amylopectin. Starch is a polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of energy in plants and is primarily composed of these two components. Amylose is a linear polymer made up of glucose units connected by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It tends to form helical structures, which are less soluble in water due to its compact arrangement. In contrast, amylopectin is a branched polymer comprising glucose units linked mainly by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds along with α(1→6) bonds at the branching points. This branching increases the solubility of amylopectin compared to amylose, as it provides more surface area and interaction with water molecules. Together, the ratio of amylose to amylopectin in starch affects its solubility and how it behaves in solution, which is critical in various applications, from food science to pharmaceuticals. Understanding this distinction is important for predicting how different starches will function in different environments, such as in cooking or when used in industrial processes.