Difference Between Sugar and Starch: Article

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Difference Between Sugar and Starch
Article · May 2017
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Home » Science » Biology » Molecular Biology » Difference Between Sugar and Starch
May 20, 2017 • by Lakna • 4 min read
Main Difference – Sugar vs Starch
Sugar and starch are two types of carbohydrates found in
plants and animals. Three types of carbohydrates can be
identified as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and
polysaccharides. They are made up of three atoms: carbon (C),
hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O). Autotrophs produce the simple
monosaccharide glucose from carbon dioxide and water during
photosynthesis. The combination of two monosaccharides
produces disaccharides. Polysaccharides are formed by
combining a large number of glucose monomers together. The
main difference between sugar and starch is that sugars are
disaccharides or monosaccharides whereas starch is a polysaccharide.
This article explains,
1. What is Sugar
– Definition, Structure, Characteristics
2. What is Starch
– Definition, Structure, Characteristics
3. What is the difference between Sugar and Starch
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http://pediaa.com/differencebetweensugarandstarch/ 1/8
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What is a Sugar
Sweet and soluble carbohydrates are generally called sugars. Hence, both monosaccharides and disaccharides are
sugars. Monosaccharides have the general chemical formula of (CH2O)n. There are three common types of
monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Glucose
Glucose is the organic molecule used in the metabolism as the energy source. Hence, it is very important in
physiology, diet, and nutrition in animals. All other forms of carbohydrates are also converted into glucose during
digestion. Glucose is more commonly found in ripe fruits and vegetables like beetroot.
Fructose and Galactose
Fructose is the fruit sugar. It is also found in honey. Galactose is present in mammals’ milk.
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Figure 1: Glucose, fructose, and galactose
Disaccharides are formed by joining two monosaccharides together with a glycosidic bond. The most common types
of disaccharides are lactose, sucrose, and maltose. They have the general formula of C12H22O11. Sucrose is found in
sugar cane and sugar beet. It is formed by the joining of a glucose and a fructose molecule together by α(1→2)β bond.
Lactose is formed by the joining of a glucose molecule with a galactose molecule by a β(1→4) bond. It is found in
mammals’ milk. Maltose is formed by the combination of two glucose molecules together by a α(1→4) bond. It is
found in cereals like barley. The structure of sucrose is shown in figure 2.
Figure 2: Sucrose
What is Starch
Starch is the polysaccharide synthesized from glucose by
green plants as their main energy store. Plants store starch
Tapioca starch
in staple foods like fruits, tubers like potatoes, seeds like Manufacturer
rice, wheat, corn, and cassava. Starch occurs in two types:
amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a linear, helical
& Supplier
chain, which is formed by the joining of glucose molecules Manufacturer of Tapioca Starch
via α(1→4) bonds by the enzyme, starch synthase. and Modified Starches in India
Amylopectin is formed by the branching of the amylose
varalakshmistarch.com
chain via α(1→4) bonds by the starch branching enzyme.
Around 25% of the starch in plants are amylose while the
rest is amylopectin. Starch is arranged into a semi
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crystalline structure at the storage areas. It is found inside the granules called amyloplasts. Amylose and amylopectin
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are shown in figure 3.
Figure 3: Amylose and amylopectin
Carbohydrate Types
Sugar: Sugars are monosaccharides and disaccharides.
Starch: Starch is a polysaccharide.
Number of Monomers
Sugar: Monosaccharides are made up of a single monomer and disaccharides are made up of two monomers.
Starch: Starch is made up of 300 to 1,000 glucose molecules.
Complexity
Sugar: Sugars are less complex.
Starch: Starch is more complex than sugars.
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Absorption EXPLORE 
Sugar: Sugars are readily absorbed by the digestive tract of organisms.
Starch: Starch takes time to be absorbed.
Blood Glucose Level
Sugar: Sugars increase blood glucose level rapidly.
Starch: Starch increases blood glucose level slowly.
Conclusion
Sugar and starch are carbohydrates. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides are three types of
carbohydrate groups found in nature. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are water soluble substances. Since mono
and disaccharides are water soluble, they are sweet. Sweet carbohydrates are called sugars. Therefore,
monosaccharides like glucose, fructose, and galactose as well as the disaccharides like sucrose, maltose, and lactose
are sugars. Starch is a polysaccharide made up of joining a large number of glucose monomers together. Hence, the
main difference between sugar and starch is their complexity of structure.
Reference:
1. Berg, Jeremy M. “Complex Carbohydrates Are Formed by Linkage of Monosaccharides.” Biochemistry. 5th
edition. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 18 May 2017. .
2. “Types of Sugar.” Monosaccharides and Disaccharides. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2017. .
Image Courtesy:
1. By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Jun 19, 2013 (CC BY 3.0) via Commons
Wikimedia
2. “Saccharose” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “219 Three Important Polysaccharides01″ By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site.
Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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Tapioca starch
Manufacturer
& Supplier
Manufacturer of Tapioca Starch
and Modified Starches in India
varalakshmistarch.com
About the Author: Lakna
Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a
broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things
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Difference Between Sugar and Starch

Article · May 2017

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