# Starch is a naturally occurring polymer found in foods such as potatoes and bread. Describe the structure of starch as a polymer, and explain how starch is broken down in the human body and what happens to the products of this breakdown.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — PL Polymers and life · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> Plants store energy in the form of starch. When humans eat starchy foods, the starch must be processed by the body before it can be used.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Starch is a polymer made up of many (glucose) monomers joined together
2. The monomers are joined by chemical bonds to form a long chain / polymer
3. Starch is broken down by enzymes (amylase) / by hydrolysis
4. Breakdown produces glucose (monomers / small molecules)
5. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream / used for respiration to release energy

## Key terms

- [polymer](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/polymer)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/starch-is-a-naturally-occurring-polymer-95e5b57c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.