Question

Which macromolecule provides structure to plants and energy to both plants and animals?

Answer 1

Carbohydrates are the biological macromolecules that provide structure to plants and energy to both plants and animals, serving as an energy source, structural support, and making up plant cell walls and the exoskeleton of arthropods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The macromolecule that provides structure to plants and energy to both plants and animals is the carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are biological macromolecules in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1. These macromolecules serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and are also responsible for forming the cellular exoskeleton of arthropods. Plants use carbohydrates for structural purposes, such as cellulose in cell walls, and for energy storage in the form of starch. Animals consume plant matter to obtain carbohydrates, which then serve as a primary energy source.

Carbohydrates are the most abundant biomolecules on earth and are used extensively by organisms. In plants, carbohydrates are synthesized through photosynthesis, wherein energy from sunlight is used to form sugars. These sugars are used directly for energy or stored for later use. In animals, carbohydrates obtained from food are broken down during digestion into simple sugars, which are then absorbed and used for energy.

While proteins and lipids also play critical roles in the function and structure of cells, it is carbohydrates that are fundamentally tied to energy storage and structural integrity in both plant and animal life.

Answer 2

There are four major categories of macromolecules that makes up biological systems. These are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic and proteins. The macromolecule that provides structure to plants and energy to both plants and animals is the carbohydrate. It is the most abundant category and is the source of energy of living organisms. Also, in plants, cellulose provides structure which is the most abundant of all carbohydrates.