Here's a breakdown:
* Carbohydrates: These are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They serve as a primary source of energy for living organisms.
* Monosaccharides: The simplest form of carbohydrates, like glucose and fructose.
* Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides linked together, like sucrose (table sugar).
* Polysaccharides: Long chains of hundreds or even thousands of monosaccharides linked together. They provide structure and store energy.
Examples of polysaccharides:
* Starch: A storage polysaccharide in plants.
* Glycogen: A storage polysaccharide in animals, found primarily in the liver and muscles.
* Cellulose: A structural polysaccharide that forms the cell walls of plants.
* Chitin: A structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans.
