Question

Oval and eccentric starch grains occur in
A. Potato
B. Wheat
C. Rice
D. Maize

Answer 1

Hint: Starch is a polysaccharide. It consists of numerous glucose units that are linked by glycosidic linkage. Starch is produced by green plants.

Complete Answer:
- Starch grains are the tiny structures that are produced by the plants with the help of the photosynthesis (process by which plants make their own food with the help of Chlorophyll, Sunlight, Water and Carbon Dioxide).
- Starch grains are mainly composed of glucose units. Plants store starch grains in their parts such as root, stem, leaves, rhizomes, etc.
- The shape of the starch grains can be a characteristic feature of a genera or species. The shape and size of the starch grains vary with the different plant species.

Shapes of starch granules found in Potato, Wheat, Rice and Maize:
1. Potato – The starch granules of potato are oval or eccentric in shape.
2. Wheat – The starch granules of potato are of two types-
(I) A-type – A-type starch granules are disk-like or lenticular in shape.
(II) B-type – B-type starch granules are roughly spherical or polygonal in shape.
3. Rice – Rice contains polygonal and angular-shaped starch granules.
4. Maize – The starch granules of maize are angular shaped.

Hence, option A is the correct answer for this question.

Note: Starch are the major component of a healthy balanced diet. They are the main sources of carbohydrates. The food we eat constitutes one-third of Starch. Starchy foods are grains, potatoes, cereals, bread, etc.