Answer:
Starch
is the most important source of carbohydrates in the human diet and accounts for more than 50% of our carbohydrate intake. It occurs in plants in the form of granules, and these are particularly abundant in seeds (especially the cereal grains) and tubers, where they serve as a storage form of carbohydrates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
MAIN FUNCTION OF A STARCH:
The main function of starch is as way to store energy for plants. Starch is a source of sugar in an animal's diet. Animals break down starch using amylase, an enzyme found in saliva and the pancreas that breaks down starch to get energy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPES OF STARCHES:
1. Tapioca
2. Wheat
3. Cornstarch
4. Arrowroot
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STARCH IS A USEFUL ENERGY STORE:
Starch is a good storage of carbohydrates because it is an intermediate compared to ATP and lipids in terms of energy. In plants, starch storage folds to allow more space inside cells. It is also insoluble in water, making it so that it can stay inside the plant without dissolving into the system.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USE OF A STARCH:
- You see, plants need energy to grow and grow and grow. They use energy from sunlight to make a simple sugar, glucose.
- It is used in the food industry either as food products or additives for thickening, preservation and quality enhancer in baked foods, confectioneries, pastas, soups and sauces, and mayonnaises.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STARCH PRODUCED BY PLANTS:
The simplest form of starch is the linear polymer amylose; amylopectin is the branched form. Wheat starch granules stained with iodine. Starch is manufactured in the green leaves of plants from excess glucose produced during photosynthesis and serves the plant as a reserve food supply.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
