polysaccharide

Long sugar chain

A polysaccharide is a carbohydrate made of many sugar molecules bonded together in long chains.

Starch, cellulose, and glycogen are polysaccharides—complex structures that store energy or provide structural support in plants and animals.

The term contrasts with simple sugars like glucose (monosaccharides) and table sugar (disaccharides).

types

cellulose

Plant wall polysaccharide

dextranBranched glucose polymer
inulinPlant-derived soluble fiber
agarAlgae-derived gelling substance

alginate · amylose

biochemistry

carbohydrate

Sugar or starch compound

solubilityDissolving potential in liquid
depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
acetylationAcetyl group attachment

metabolism

glycolysis

Glucose metabolism producing ATP

enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
ATPCell's energy molecule

catabolism · anabolism · digestion · fermentation · biosynthesis · maltase

function

energy storage

Capturing power for later

structural supportElement bearing weight
cell wallRigid cellular outer layer
exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure

matrix · viscosity · water retention · lubrication · adhesion · recognition · signaling · protection

Categories

Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
carbohydratesglucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose
poly- wordspolygon, polymer, polyglot, polymath, polynomial
biopolymersbiopolymers, cellulose, DNA, RNA, protein
cell wallscellulose, lignin, middle lamella, pit, pits
Macromoleculespolymer, polymers, protein, proteins, DNA

Opposites

molecular complexity/chain length

polysaccharidemonosaccharide

Simplest carbohydrate form

glucose · fructose · galactose · ribose · deoxyribose

macromolecule type

polysaccharideprotein

Folded amino chain

lipid · nucleic acid · fatty acid · amino acid

Family

polysaccharides

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