JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3bm047
An amylopectin-like molecule has 1000 glucose units and 40 branch points, each branch point being one alpha-1,6 link. Assuming a single reducing end, the number of alpha-1,4 glycosidic links is
A959
B960
C999
D1000
Answer: A
A branched polymer with one reducing end has n−1=999 glycosidic bonds. Of these 40 are alpha-1,6, so alpha-1,4 links number 999−40=959.