Carbohydrates: Essential Biomolecules for Life - A comprehensive overview of carbohydrate structure, classification, and biological functions.
• Carbohydrates are vital organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving dual roles as energy reserves and structural components.
• They are classified into four main groups: monosaccharides (single sugar units), disaccharides (two sugar units), oligosaccharides (3-10 sugar units), and polysaccharides (long chains).
• Key biological examples include starch and glycogen for energy storage, and cellulose and chitin for structural support.
• Complex carbohydrates can form hybrid molecules called glycoconjugates when combined with proteins or lipids.