Question

Select all answers that are functions of carbohydrates.

 Structure in arthropods

 Energy storage

 Structure in fungi

 Transport of substances 

 Enzymatic

 Structure in plants

 Movement of motor proteins

Answer 1

Carbohydrates are an essential biomolecule used as primary energy source by plants and animals. They form the skeletal structures and also serve as food reserves in plants and animals.

1. Structure in arthropods-

Arthropods (insects) are known for their hard exoskeleton. The main structural material in exoskeletons is a complex carbohydrate called chitin. It provides a frame structure for these arthropods to protect their internal organs and muscles.Chitin is the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth after cellulose. It is aminopolysaccharide i.e. poly (β-(1-4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

2. Energy Storage- The human body uses carbohydrates in the form of glucose. If your body has enough glucose to fulfill its current needs, excess glucose can be stored for later use. Glucose can be converted to glycogen, a polysaccharide similar to starch, which is stored in the liver and the muscles and is a readily available source of energy for the body.

3. Structure in fungi-

Unlike bacteria and plants, fungal cell wall is made up of nitrogenous carbohydrate i.e. chitin. It is aminopolysaccharide i.e. poly (β-(1-4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The chitin adds rigidity and structural support to the thin cells of the fungus.

4. Transport of substance-

Carbohydrates is present in cell membrane attached to the integral proteins but they don’t assist in transport of substance. They help in cell recognition which is defined as an active process giving rise to a specific response.

5. Enzymatic-

Its very well known that all enzymes are proteinacious in nature. Carbohydrates can modulate the activity of enzymes. Carbohydrates can be prosthetic groups that bind tightly to enzymes and play an important role in enzyme catalysis.

6.Structure in Plants

Plants cell wall is made up of cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth. Cellulose provides structural support to the cell. It is made up of glucose monomers that are linked by glycosidic bonds.

7. Movement of motor proteins

Controlled hydrolysis of nucleotides and inorganic phosphate release by motor proteins generate mechanical forces that translocate the motor proteins along the filaments.

Thus we can rule out Transport of Substances, Enzymatic and Movement of motor proteins as the Functions of Carbohydrates.