amylose

A polysaccharide that, with *amylopectin , makes up starch. Amylose is an unbranched chain of glucose molecules linked by α(l-4) glucosidic bonds. The molecular weight of amylose can vary from a few thousand to over half a million. In water amylose has a micellar structure and the amylose chains form helical coils. See also amylase .