Starch does not have a direct function in animals. Animals cannot digest starch directly. Instead, they rely on enzymes called amylases to break down starch into simpler sugars, such as glucose, which can then be absorbed and used for energy.

Here's a breakdown:

* Starch: A complex carbohydrate made up of long chains of glucose molecules.

* Amylase: An enzyme found in saliva and the pancreas that breaks down starch into smaller sugar molecules.

* Glucose: A simple sugar that is the primary source of energy for most animal cells.

Therefore, starch is not a functional molecule in animal bodies but is a source of energy that needs to be broken down before it can be used.