What is the structure and functions of carbohydrates?

Since carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are the only elements that make up organic molecules, carbohydrates would only have covalent bonds between these three elements and most likely have a non-polar structure.

Polysaccharides are larger, more complex carbohydrates that comprise cellulose, the majority of a plant's cell wall.

Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They can be classified into three main groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

1. Monosaccharides: Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and consist of a single sugar molecule. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.

2. Disaccharides: Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharide units joined together by a glycosidic bond. Examples include sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose), and maltose (glucose + glucose).

3. Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. They serve as energy storage molecules and structural components in organisms. Examples include glycogen (energy storage in animals), starch (energy storage in plants), and cellulose (structural component in plant cell walls).

Functions of carbohydrates include:

1. Providing energy: Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body, particularly glucose, which is readily used by cells for energy production.

2. Energy storage: Excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles for later use.

3. Structural support: Carbohydrates such as cellulose provide structural support in plant cell walls, while chitin provides structural support in the exoskeletons of arthropods.

4. Cell recognition: Carbohydrates on the surface of cells play a role in cell recognition and communication.

5. Metabolic intermediates: Some carbohydrates serve as intermediates in metabolic pathways, such as ribose and deoxyribose in nucleic acid synthesis.