The structural polysaccharide in plants is

Options

A. Cellulose
B. Starch
C. Glycogen
D. Chitin

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Polysaccharides**:
- Polysaccharides are carbohydrates that consist of long chains of sugar molecules (monosaccharides). They can be composed of two or more sugar units.

2. **Classification of Polysaccharides**:
- Polysaccharides can be classified based on their functions into two main categories:
- **Energy Storage Polysaccharides**: These store energy for the organism (e.g., starch in plants).
- **Structural Polysaccharides**: These provide structural support to the organism (e.g., cellulose in plants).

3. **Identifying the Structural Polysaccharide in Plants**:
- The question specifically asks for the structural polysaccharide found in plants.
- The primary structural polysaccharide in plants is **cellulose**. It is a major component of the cell wall, providing rigidity and strength to plant cells.

4. **Evaluating Other Options**:
- **Starch**: This is a polysaccharide used for energy storage in plants, not for structural support.
- **Glycogen**: This is a storage polysaccharide found in animals, not in plants.
- **Chitin**: This is a structural polysaccharide found in fungi and the exoskeletons of arthropods, not in plants.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer to the question is **cellulose**, as it is the primary structural polysaccharide in plants.

**Final Answer**: The structural polysaccharide in plants is **cellulose**.

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