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What type of bond connects glucose molecules in amylose?

  1. 1,6 glycosidic bonds

  2. 1,4 glycosidic bonds

  3. Covalent bonds

  4. Ionic bonds

The correct answer is: 1,4 glycosidic bonds

The bond that connects glucose molecules in amylose is indeed 1,4 glycosidic bonds. Amylose is a polysaccharide and a component of starch, consisting of long, unbranched chains of glucose units. These glucose units are linked through glycosidic bonds specifically formed between the first carbon (C1) of one glucose molecule and the fourth carbon (C4) of the adjacent glucose molecule. This type of bond creates a linear structure, allowing amylose to form a helical shape typically found in starch. The option involving 1,6 glycosidic bonds pertains to amylopectin, which is the branched form of starch and includes both 1,4 and 1,6 bonds. Covalent bonds describe a broader category of strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs and do not specifically address the type of linkage in amylose. Ionic bonds result from the attraction between oppositely charged ions and are not relevant to the structure of amylose. Understanding these distinctions is essential for recognizing the structural features of carbohydrates and how different types of glycosidic bonds affect their properties and functions.