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

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

Problem

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

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.