Tag: Structural carbohydrate

Polysaccharides, long chains of monosaccharides, are the most abundant carbohydrates in nature, performing vital functions from energy storage to structural support. While many types exist, the question of which one is the most 'representative' has no single answer and is best understood through comparing key examples.

Over half of the organic carbon on Earth is stored in cellulose, the primary structural component of plant cell walls. To build their rigid forms, plants perform a remarkable chemical feat: they convert the energy-rich sugar glucose into the sturdy, fibrous polymer known as cellulose.