Final answer:
Carbohydrates like starch and glycogen are used for energy storage in plants and animals, respectively, while cellulose and chitin provide structural support for cell walls and exoskeletons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbohydrates and lipids function primarily as stores of chemical energy and as durable building materials for biological construction. Carbohydrates, such as starch and glycogen, are key for energy storage in plants and animals, respectively. Starch is primarily used in plants for energy storage, while animals store glucose in the form of glycogen within their liver and muscle cells.Lipids also store energy and play roles in cell membrane structure and signaling.
Structurally, carbohydrates play critical roles in forming cell walls. Cellulose is the most common biochemical compound that constitutes the cell walls of plants, providing them with necessary support. Similarly, chitin makes up the cell walls of fungi and is vital in the exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods for protection.
Lipids, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids, also serve as long-term energy storage molecules, with triglycerides being the main form of stored energy in animals. Phospholipids are a major component of cell membranes, while steroids function as chemical messengers among other roles.