What are polysacharides and state their functions?
Polysaccharides are long chains of sugars containing monosachharides as building blocks. If it is composed of the same monosaccharide it is called a homopolymer like cellulose. Heteropolymers contains different monosaccharide units. For eg starch
Polysaccharides perform various functions -
(1) Source of energy - polysaccharides are broken down to produce energy in the cells.
(2) Storage - The food is stored in the form of starch in plants and in the form of glycogen in animals.
(3)Structural support - Cellulose is the structural material of plants.
(4) Protective covering - Exoskeleton of the arthropods are made of polysaccharide chitin.
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