The Irish survived for generations by eating potatoes as their main staple. What is the main biomolecule in potatoes that allowed them to do that and what is its primary function for the potato plant?
Look up the definition of a biomolecule and some examples. (A Wikipedia article exists on this topic. Google it, as I can't post links.)
Using your prior knowledge of potatoes and its food category, you should be able to pick out its main biomolecule.
protein
i didn't think it was protein, i think it's starch. I actually have the same exact question, word for word I am answering right now, if you get an answer could you let me know?
no you're right it is protein...starch isn't a biomolecule haha
your both wrong it carbohydrates
to be more specific it's starch, like he said, and glycogen as a form of glucose and its function is energy storage
Actually it can't be glycogen becaus it is specific only to animals, not plants. Potatoes contain linear and helical amylose and branched amylopectin. Look up starch on wikipedia.
Carbohydrates
The main biomolecule in potatoes that allowed the Irish to survive for generations is starch. Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose molecules linked together in long chains. It serves as the primary energy storage molecule in plants.
To understand this, let's explore how potatoes produce and store starch within their plant cells. Potatoes are underground stem structures called tubers, which store energy in the form of starch. During photosynthesis, the potato plant absorbs sunlight and converts it into chemical energy. Excess energy is stored in the form of starch, mainly in the tubers, to be used as a reserve in times of need.
Starch is an efficient energy source because it provides a high caloric content. When humans consume potatoes, the starch is broken down into glucose molecules through the process of digestion. Glucose is then absorbed into our bloodstream and transported to cells throughout the body, where it serves as an essential source of energy for various biological processes.
The reason why potatoes became a staple food for the Irish is that they are relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown in large quantities. They are rich in starch, which provides a significant amount of calories, helping to sustain the population during times of scarcity and poverty.
In summary, the main biomolecule in potatoes that allowed the Irish to survive for generations is starch. Starch serves as the primary energy storage molecule in potatoes and is broken down into glucose, providing a source of energy when consumed by humans.