Which term describes the storage form of energy in plants, a complex carbohydrate?

Which term describes the storage form of energy in plants, a complex carbohydrate?

• A. Glucose
• B. Starch
• C. Cellulose
• D. Cholesterol

Answer: (B)

Plants store energy in the form of starch, a complex carbohydrate. Starch is a long chain of glucose units that can be packed away in roots, seeds, or other tissues and later broken down to release glucose when energy is needed. This contrasts with glucose, which is a simple sugar used quickly for immediate energy rather than for long-term storage. Cellulose is another glucose-based polymer, but it forms the structural material of plant cell walls rather than storing energy. Cholesterol is a lipid, not a carbohydrate, and serves different roles in membranes and hormones.

Plants store energy in the form of starch, a complex carbohydrate. Starch is a long chain of glucose units that can be packed away in roots, seeds, or other tissues and later broken down to release glucose when energy is needed. This contrasts with glucose, which is a simple sugar used quickly for immediate energy rather than for long-term storage. Cellulose is another glucose-based polymer, but it forms the structural material of plant cell walls rather than storing energy. Cholesterol is a lipid, not a carbohydrate, and serves different roles in membranes and hormones.