Category of Chemicals

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of multiple monosaccharide units linked together. They serve as essential energy storage and structural components in living organisms. Common examples include starch in plants and glycogen in animals, both of which store glucose for energy. Cellulose is another polysaccharide that provides structural support in plant cell walls. Chitin, found in the exoskeleton of insects and fungi, is another example. Polysaccharides have diverse applications, from providing dietary fiber to acting as thickening agents in the food industry.