Starch is a carbohydrate polymer of glucose that functions as an energy store for plants and a source of energy for humans and animals. Starch is composed of amylose and amylopectin and is found in foods like grains, potatoes, and green plants. It provides energy through digestion and gelatinization when cooked. Plants produce starch through photosynthesis to store glucose, while starch enters animal and human systems through food as an easily digestible energy source.

1. starch Brad Ogden Brianna Sculley

2. Molecule Type: Carbohydrate Chemical Formula: C 6 H 10 O 5 Starches are polymers of glucose.

3. Starches have two parts: Amylose - C 6 H 10 O 5 arranged in a corkscrew shape

4. Amylopectin – linear glucose units with abundant branching

5. Functions of Starches - Plants Plant cells can change glucose (obtained from and during photosynthesis) into starch as a way for them to store sugar Plants tend to store it as starch during the day and sugar at night in the green leaves

6. Functions in Humans/Animals Starches are a key source of energy in humans and animals; upon digestion, energy is directly acquired Starch is found in many foods, such as pasta, cereals, breads, and potatoes. It is also found in green plants for animal consumption.

7. Functions of Starch in Society Starch is used to stiffen yarn, package products for shipping in a way that betters the environment, give a glossy look to fancy paper, and more Corn starch is a common ingredient in American cooking today

8. Starch in Living Organisms Starch enters the system of an animal or human by means of food Starch is found in the cells of green plants, seeds of corn, wheat, and beans, in the stems and roots of potatoes, and many other places. Starch is easily digestible when cooked due to its property of gelatinization. Starch is present in plants by the photosynthesis process we discussed before

9. The Effect Starch energizes humans and animals, and is the way that plants can store glucose obtained from photosynthesis

10. Positives Provides energy Helps plants store sugar Industrial benefits Starch solutions test for iodine

11. Negatives Hard to digest when uncooked Overall a very positive molecule!

12. Different and Related Versions The Human body breaks starch into glucose, providing energy. Plants store glucose as starch. GLUCOSE MOLECULE

13. Starch is a very beneficial and highly needed molecule that plays a vital role in the lives of humans, animals, and plants.