Tag: Glucans

All glucans are polysaccharides constructed from repeating units of D-glucose monomers, but their specific properties depend on their source and structure. These versatile compounds serve diverse biological functions, from energy storage in glycogen to providing structural support in fungal cell walls.

Over one million tonnes of cellulose, a polysaccharide composed entirely of glucose subunits, is produced annually, making it the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Various other essential polysaccharides also contain only glucose subunits, including starch for energy storage in plants and glycogen for energy storage in animals. Despite their shared fundamental building block, the distinct structural arrangement of these glucose units results in vastly different functions and properties.