Important Polysaccharide Comparison

Feature

Amylose (Starch)

Amylopectin (Starch)

Cellulose

Glycogen

Monomer

$$\alpha\text{-D-Glucose}$$

$$\alpha\text{-D-Glucose}$$

$$\beta\text{-D-Glucose}$$

$$\alpha\text{-D-Glucose}$$

Structure

Unbranched linear chain

Highly branched chain

Unbranched straight chain

Extremely branched chain

Linkages

$$\alpha(1 \to 4)$$

Main: $$\alpha(1 \to 4)$$

Branch:

$$\alpha(1 \to 6)$$

$$\beta(1 \to 4)$$

Main:

$$\alpha(1 \to 4)$$

Branch:

$$\alpha(1 \to 6)$$

Solubility

Water Soluble

Water Insoluble

Water Insoluble

Water Soluble

Iodine Test

Gives Blue Color

Gives Red/Violet Color

No Color

Gives Red-Brown Color