Question

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

A. Many possible functions including structure, transport, movement, defense, signaling, and speeding up chemical reactions
B. Long-term energy storage, insulation, and protective coatings
C. Storing and transmitting genetic information
D. Short-term energy storage and structure in plant cell walls

Answer 1

Carbohydrates serve as short-term energy storage, forming the structure in plant cell walls, and are used for producing ATP. Polysaccharides like starch and glycogen store energy, while cellulose provides structural support.

Step-by-step explanation:

The functions of carbohydrates include short-term energy storage and structure in plant cell walls. Specifically, monosaccharides like glucose are essential for producing ATP, the primary fuel molecule for cells. When these monosaccharides join, they form polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen, which are used for energy storage in plants and animals, respectively. Additionally, carbohydrates like cellulose provide structural support for plant cell walls, and chitin serves a similar function in fungi and some animals.