Some plant cells contain the polymer starch. Explain how the structure and properties of starch are related to its function as a storage molecule.

Starch is a polymer of the sugar glucose, an important component of respiration and needed to provide plants with energy. Unlike glucose, starch is insoluble allowing it to be stored within the cell without having an osmotic effect. In addition, one of the two components of starch, amylose, has a coiled structure. This allows a large amount of starch to be stored in a small area. The second component of starch, amylopectin, can easily be hydrolysesd thanks to its branched structure. This allows starch to be broken down and used by the cell.