← See all Biology problems

In plants, which insoluble substance can glucose be converted into for storage?

Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.

Answer

starch

Step-by-step solution

  1. Identify the core question: The question asks about the insoluble substance that plants use to store glucose.
  2. Recall plant biology: Plants produce glucose through photosynthesis. Glucose is a soluble sugar and is the primary energy source for the plant. However, for long-term storage, plants convert glucose into a less soluble form.
  3. Identify the storage carbohydrate: The main storage carbohydrate in plants is starch. Starch is a polysaccharide made up of many glucose units linked together. It is insoluble in water, making it suitable for storage in plant tissues like roots, seeds, and stems.
  4. Confirm insolubility: Starch's insolubility is key for efficient storage without affecting the water potential of plant cells significantly.