Question
Describe four functions of carbohydrates in living organism.
Solution
Functions of carbohydrates:
1. They support the plant structure, e.g., cellulose.
2. They produce energy necessary for functioning of living body and doing work.
3. They are used to store chemical energy in form of glycogen in liver. In case of emergency like fasting or illness, glycogen hydrolyses to glucose and thus supplies the necessary energy. Starch is main storage polysaccharide of plants.
4.Cellulose present in grass and plants act as a food for various grazing animals. These animals contain specific enzymes which can hydrolyse cellulose.
