Saccharide (Noun)
Meaning
An essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are classified according to the number of monosaccharide groups they contain.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Glucose is a simple saccharide that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, as it is broken down to produce energy for various cellular processes.
- Polysaccharides, also known as complex saccharides, are formed by linking monosaccharide groups together and are often found in plant cell walls, such as cellulose.
- Saccharides are an essential component of living cells and provide a primary source of energy for many animals through digestion and cellular respiration.
- Fructose is another example of a simple saccharide that is an important energy source for many animals when converted to glucose during the digestion process.
- Complex saccharides like starch and glycogen are also composed of repeating glucose units and serve as a primary storage mechanism for energy in many living organisms.