The importance of carbohydrates for the body

Structure of glycogen

Carbohydrates are not essential for the body and are normally synthesized in it, e.g. from amino acids or glycerol.

• Monosaccharides and disaccharides represent an important source of energy. They are especially necessary for brain cells and erythrocytes.

• Polysaccharides serve as energy storage - glycogen in animals.

Carbohydrates also perform structural functions, for example as part of glycoproteins and glycolipids in membranes.

 For more information see Biological Membrane Architecture.

They also play a key role in the synthesis of nucleic acids or coenzymes. They are also part of the intercellular mass, for example in proteoglycan molecules.