When pasta is overcooked it becomes very sticky?

When pasta is overcooked, the starches on its surface break down and release into the cooking water, causing the pasta to become sticky. This excess starch creates a gummy texture, making it difficult for the pasta to separate easily. Additionally, the loss of structure in the pasta due to prolonged cooking contributes to its clumping together. To avoid this, it's important to cook pasta al dente, which means it retains a slight firmness.