The Polysaccharides are biomolecules that are made up of the union of a significant amount of monosaccharides, which are the simplest, simplest sugars and are characterized by not hydrolyzing, that is, they do not decompose into other compounds.
Among the main functions that they know how to fulfill are those of provide energy and structural reserves, that is to say, they develop organic structures, store energy and become protectors of the organism before the appearance of certain phenomena.
For example, polysaccharides can be distinguished in reserve polysaccharides (they deal with storing sugar, a source of energy) and structural polysaccharides (those carbohydrates that intervene in the construction of organic structures).
It should be noted that polysaccharides are included within the group popularly known as carbohydrates, carbohydrates or carbohydrates.
Among the most notable polysaccharides we find: cellulose, starch, glycogen and chitin.
The cellulose it could be said that it is the polysaccharide par excellence since it is the most present on our planet. Its intervention is found in the wall of plant cells, it participates in the digestion process of human beings and is used when producing varnish, paper, among others.
For its part, chitin, is manifested in the exoskeleton of different insects, in the organs of some animals and in the cell walls of fungi. Meanwhile, industries such as pharmaceuticals and food use it to manufacture some of their products.
Starch It is present in plants, especially in their seeds, stems and roots, providing them with energy reserves. Meanwhile, the consumption of starch by people is really high, providing us with more than 70% of calories.
And the glycogen It is the most abundant polysaccharide in the liver of human beings, in the muscles and in many of our body tissues.
Polysaccharides can be decomposed from the process called as hydrolysis which consists of the chemical reaction between one water molecule and another, dividing the water molecule in two.
