Importance of carbohydrates

Importance of carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates, widely distributed in plants and animals, act mainly as energy sources and structural polymers.

• Carbohydrate is stored in the body as glycogen and in plant as starch.

• Carbohydrates such as cellulose which is the primary components of plant cell wall, is used to make paper, furniture (wood) and cloths (cotton)

• Simple sugar glucose serves as an instant source of energy.

• Ribose sugars are one of the components of nucleic acids.

• Modified carbohydrates such as hyaluronate (glycosaminoglycans) act as shock absorber and lubricant.