Carbohydrates function as storage molecules in the form of starch in plants and glycogen in animals. Industrially, carbohydrates contribute to textiles, paper, lacquers, and breweries, providing raw materials for these important industries.

Carbohydrates are essential for life in plants and animals, forming a major part of our food. Honey, known for its high carbohydrate content, has been used as an instant source of energy in the ayurvedic system of medicine.

Cellulose, found exclusively in plants and a major component of plant cell walls, is composed of straight-chain b-D-glucose units joined by glycosidic linkage between C₁ of one unit and C₄ of the next. It serves a structural role in the ...

Starch, the main storage polysaccharide in plants, consists of two components: amylose (15-20%) and amylopectin (80-85%). Amylose is a water-soluble, unbranched chain polymer of a-D-glucose units linked by C₁– C₄ glycosidic linkage.

Polysaccharides primarily serve as food storage or structural materials. They are commonly encountered in nature due to their abundance and diverse roles.