Q BankQuestion BankDocsDocuments

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
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing6%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–3

Common command terms

  • Outline
  • Describe
  • Distinguish
  • Compare

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Confusing glycogen with glucagon or glucose.

Recent exam appearances

May 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ27(a)[ 3 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2021Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ25(a)[ 5 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2019Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ27[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
November 2018Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ09(a)[ 2 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
May 2018Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ12(a)(i)[ 1 ]B1.1.5—Polysaccharides as energy storage
Practice this objective

Coverage 2011–2025 · 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 SL