Question

In euglenoids, the stored food is paramylon, which is a
a) Conversion product of glycogen
b) Conversion product of starch
c) A type of lipid
d) A type of protein

Answer 1

Euglenoids are unicellular protists that are mostly found in freshwater. It has a distinct feature of the presence of a cell membrane which is rich in protein and is known as a pellicle. It feeds by the process of phagocytosis. In this method, the organism surrounds its prey and absorbs it.

Complete answer:
Paramylon is a carbohydrate substance that has a similarity to starch. In euglenoids, the chloroplasts present help in the synthesis of the carbohydrate which needs to be stored as the starch granules and paramylon. The euglenoids have chlorophyll present in them which helps them in the storage of the paramylon starch. They are stored in the form of rod-like bodies in the cytoplasm of the cell. These bodies are then named paramylon bodies. They are often visible in the microscope as colourless white particles. The euglenoids have them as their distinct characteristic function. So, the paramylon is the conversion product of the starch. The glucose residues produced are then joined by the beta 1,3 linkages and the structure which are branched has the beta 1,6 linkages. So, the food is stored in the euglenoids in the form of paramylon.

So, the correct answer is option b.

Note:
Euglena is an elongated cell which contains one nucleus, and has numerous chlorophyll-containing chloroplast present. It usually contains chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. It has an eyespot that detects the light and the cell moves in that direction only. It helps in maximizing photosynthesis. It lacks a cell wall but has a cell membrane made up of protein that helps in its protection.