What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biology?

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biology?

• A. They are the main components of cell membranes.
• B. They provide quick energy and can serve as energy storage and structural components.
• C. They carry genetic information.
• D. They catalyze chemical reactions as enzymes.

Answer: (B)

Carbohydrates are mainly about energy. They can be broken down quickly to release glucose, which feeds cellular respiration and makes ATP—the cell’s immediate energy currency. When energy isn’t needed right away, plants store it as starch and animals store it as glycogen, providing ready-to-use fuel later on. Carbohydrates also contribute to structure: cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in some animal exoskeletons are rigid, load-bearing carbohydrate-containing materials. While carbohydrates can be involved in membranes andRecognition on the cell surface, their primary roles are rapid energy supply and structural support. The other options point to functions of different biomolecules—lipids and proteins in membranes, nucleic acids for genetic information, and proteins (and some RNA) as enzymes.

Carbohydrates are mainly about energy. They can be broken down quickly to release glucose, which feeds cellular respiration and makes ATP—the cell’s immediate energy currency. When energy isn’t needed right away, plants store it as starch and animals store it as glycogen, providing ready-to-use fuel later on. Carbohydrates also contribute to structure: cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in some animal exoskeletons are rigid, load-bearing carbohydrate-containing materials. While carbohydrates can be involved in membranes andRecognition on the cell surface, their primary roles are rapid energy supply and structural support. The other options point to functions of different biomolecules—lipids and proteins in membranes, nucleic acids for genetic information, and proteins (and some RNA) as enzymes.