Amylopectin contains which types of glycosidic bonds?

• A. alpha 1-4 only
• B. alpha 1-6 only
• C. alpha 1-4 and 1-6
• D. beta 1-4 only

Answer: (C)

Amylopectin is a branched polymer of glucose. The linear portions of the chains are connected by alpha-1,4 glycosidic bonds, while branching points occur where a glucose unit is linked to another chain via alpha-1,6 glycosidic bonds. This combination makes amylopectin a branched molecule, unlike amylose which is mainly linear with only alpha-1,4 bonds. The beta-1,4 linkage is found in cellulose, not in starch. So amylopectin contains both alpha-1,4 and alpha-1,6 glycosidic bonds.