Carbohydrates are one of the fundamental biomolecules essential for life. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Think of them as the body's primary energy currency. Carbohydrates play key roles in energy storage and are involved in structural and signaling functions within cells.
In carbohydrates, the general formula is , showing that they are composed of repeating units of sugars. They can vary in size from simple sugars to large polysaccharides. Important types of carbohydrates include:
- Monosaccharides: basic sugar units like glucose and fructose.
- Disaccharides: two sugar units linked together, such as sucrose.
- Polysaccharides: complex carbs with many sugar units, like starch and cellulose.
Understanding these types helps us appreciate their diverse roles in organisms, from providing quick energy to forming structural components such as cell walls in plants.