Question

Amylose, one form of starch, is a linear polymer of glucose residues joined by a(1-->4) linkages. why are mammals unabl to metabolize cellulose, which also consists of glucose residues?

Answer 1

Starch are alpha isomers and cellulose are beta isomers so they are linked together differently. Humans for example have alpha amylase and therefore are able to break down starch however we do not have beta amylase and so we can’t use cellulose as an energy source