Final answer:
Carbohydrates' primary function is to supply and store energy for cells as well as provide structural support in plants. Glucose, a simple sugar, is a key monosaccharide used for ATP production, and polysaccharides like starch and cellulose reflect carbohydrates' diverse roles. ATP is the central energy currency for cellular activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main function of carbohydrates is to provide energy to cells through dietary intake and stored energy reserves, like glucose for immediate use and starch or glycogen for longer-term energy storage. They are critical for forming structures such as plant cell walls via polysaccharides like cellulose. Carbohydrates, including sugars and starches, are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Their monomers, monosaccharides, join together to form polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose, reflecting the diverse roles of carbohydrates in both energy metabolism and cellular structure.
Within the human body, carbohydrates are essential for the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that powers a multitude of cellular processes. Plants produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis, converting solar energy into the chemical energy stored in glucose. This glucose can be broken down via cellular respiration to release ATP. In their various forms, carbohydrates are indispensable for life, providing both immediate and stored energy, as well as performing a range of structural and communicative functions at the cellular level.