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Amylum --> starch

(Science: biochemistry) storage carbohydrate of plants, consisting of amylose (a linear _(1-4) glucan) and amylopectin (an _(1-4) glucan with _(1-6) branch points). Present as starch grains in plastids, especially in amyloplasts and chloroplasts. A complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice; an important foodstuff and used otherwise especially in adhesives and as fillers and stiffeners for paper and textiles.