Starch and cellulose are both made from which monomer?

Starch and cellulose are both polysaccharides that are indeed constructed from the same monomer, glucose. In the case of starch, glucose units are linked together mainly through alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds, forming a structure that serves as a storage form of energy in plants. On the other hand, cellulose is comprised of glucose units linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, resulting in a rigid structure that provides strength to the plant cell walls.

Both starch and cellulose are forms of carbohydrates and highlight how the same monomer (glucose) can lead to different properties and functions depending on the type of glycosidic bonds and the arrangement of the glucose molecules. Hence, understanding that both starch and cellulose are made up of glucose helps in recognizing their roles within the plant kingdom and their biochemical significance.