Starch - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Starch is a type of carbohydrate found in many plants, and it's one of the main ways they store energy. It is made up of lots of sugar molecules linked together, forming a large, complex structure. When we eat foods like potatoes, rice, and bread, our bodies break down the starch into simpler sugars, which we use for energy. In chemistry, it's important to know that starch is a polymer, meaning it is made up of repeating units (monomers), and it can be tested with iodine solution, which turns blue-black if starch is present. This makes starch an important topic when learning about how living things store and use energy, including how our bodies get energy from food.