Question

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Hint: Carbohydrates are the biomolecules with $Cm\left( {{H_2}O} \right)n$ empirical formula and $2:1$ hydrogen-oxygen ratio. Carbohydrates are also known as saccharides. There are many carbohydrates like sugar, fructose, glucose, mannose, etc.

Complete step by step answer:
In our daily life we come across and consume many carbohydrates. They are a major part of our diet that provides us energy to do our work. Carbohydrates or saccharides are mainly divided into four sub-categories that are:
Monosaccharide, disaccharides, oligosaccharide and polysaccharide based upon the number of monomers present in their structure.
For example: glucose is a monosaccharide having only one glucose unit. Sucrose is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose units.
Functions of carbohydrates:
1.Carbohydrates provide energy to our body. All the carbohydrates taken in food are digested and converted into a simple unit glucose. Glucose is a monosaccharide which participates in cellular respiration and produces ATPs that are the energy currency of the cells.
2.Carbohydrates maintain the blood sugar levels of the body. Insulin hormone is responsible for regulating the amount of blood-glucose.
3.Carbohydrates act as sweeteners. Sugar that is used in our houses is actually sucrose, a carbohydrate.
4.There are many carbohydrates such as, cellulose, pectin, mucilage, etc. which acts as dietary fibers.
5.Carbohydrates are present on the cell surfaces and in antibodies which play an important role in cell recognition.
6.There are many more functions of carbohydrates.

Note:
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our body, it generates $3.87\,Kcal$ energy per gram of simple sugar or sucrose.
The nomenclature of carbohydrates suggest the use of suffix-ose in them. For example glucose, sucrose, mannose, etc.