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B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage

Starch and glycogen are glucose polysaccharides adapted for energy storage through compact, insoluble, branched or helical molecular structures in organisms.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
B1.1.5
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing6%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2022
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1

Common command terms

  • Outline
  • Describe
  • Distinguish
  • Compare

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Confusing glycogen with glucagon or glucose.

Recent exam appearances

November 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ09[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
November 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ09[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ26[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2019Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ26[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2016Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ03[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
Practice this objective

Coverage 2013–2022 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Starch stores glucose energy in plants as amylose and amylopectin.
  • Glycogen is a branched glucose storage polysaccharide in animals and fungi.
  • Amylose is mostly unbranched and helical, while amylopectin is branched.
  • Storage polysaccharides are compact and poorly soluble, reducing osmotic effects.
ConceptIB Biology HL