Polysaccharide facts for kids
Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. Think of them as complex sugars. They are large molecules made from many smaller sugar units called monosaccharides.
These large molecules are often branched, like the branches of a tree. They usually don't dissolve well in water and don't taste sweet.
Polysaccharides can be grouped into two main types:
- Homopolysaccharides: These are made when all the small sugar units are the same kind.
- Heteropolysaccharides: These are made when there is more than one type of small sugar unit.
Some common examples of polysaccharides include starch and glycogen, which store energy. Others, like cellulose and chitin, help build structures.
What Are Starches?
Starch is a polysaccharide that plants use to store energy. It does not dissolve in water.
Our bodies, and those of other animals, can break down starch. We do this using special chemicals called enzymes, specifically amylases.
Foods like potatoes, rice, wheat, and maize (corn) are full of starch. They are important energy sources in many diets around the world.
What Is Cellulose?
Cellulose is a very important polysaccharide found in plants. It forms the main parts of plant cell walls, giving plants their strength and structure.
For example, wood is mostly cellulose and another substance called lignin. Paper and cotton are almost pure cellulose.
Cellulose is made up of many repeating units of glucose, which is a simple sugar.
Humans and many animals cannot digest cellulose. This is because we don't have the right enzymes to break it down. However, some animals, like termites, can digest cellulose. They have special bacteria in their guts that produce the necessary enzymes.
Images for kids
-
Some important natural structural polysaccharides
See also
In Spanish: Polisacárido para niños
