Are a group of complex carbohydrates that are made up of a more simple monosaccharides

Carbohydrates can be simple or complex

Glycosidic bonds are bonds that hold separated monosaccharides together into the more complex sugars

Are not sweet in taste like monosaccharides

A few catagories of carbohydrates include:

   -    Monosaccharides
   -    Disaccharides
   -    Olgiosaccharides

Classifications:

1.)   Homopolysaccharides -  all monosaccharides are the same

2.)   Heteropolysaccharides -  more then one different types of monosaccharides

Functions of polysaccharides

   -    Storage
   -    Plant cellular structure
   -    Found in many Bacteria for protection or metabolism

Examples:

1.)   Starch

   -    Is very similar to glycogen
   -    However, it is found in plant cells
   -    Also can be seen in some protists and bacteria.
   -    Made up of Amylose and Amylopectin

2.)   Cellulose

   -    A major component of cellular structure of plants with a large amount in plant walls
   -    Is very strong and helpful with support of the plant
   -    It is specialized enough to allow water and some solutes to pass in and out of cell.

3.)   Chitlin

   -    Similar to cellulose
   -    Found in arthropods such as sponges and mollusks
   -    Also found in cell walls of fungi and some algae

4.)   Glycogen

   -    Is found in nearly all animal cells
   -    Can also be found in some protozoa and algae
   -    In mammals and humans this compound is stored in the liver and muscles..
   -    It is the main form of storage of carbohydrates in the body
   -    Glycogen is thus broken down into glucose for use.
   -    During a 24 hour fast – almost the entire reserve is consumed

5.)   Peptidoglycan