1. Source of Energy: Green plants convert solar energy into chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis. chemical
Uses energy to produce carbohydrates. These sugars then come from plants to animals. For this reason sugar is called bio-fuel. Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq
2. stored food
(i) Starch is the main stored food in the plant body. Carbohydrates are stored in the form of starch in the seeds, fruits and tubers of plants.
(ii) Sucrose, fructose, raffinose etc. are stored as stored food in the plant body.
(iv) Glycogen is stored as stored food in all animal, bacterial and fungal cells.
(v) Excess carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
(vi) Onion, garlic and dalia contain carbohydrates in the form of inulin.
3. structural elements
(i) Carbohydrates 50-80% of dry weight of plant body. It is the main constituent of the plant body.
(ii) Cellulose, hemicellulose, pectic acid etc. form the cell wall of plants.
(iii) Chitin forms the cell wall of fungi and the body wall of arthropods.
(iv) Peptidoglycan forms the cell wall of bacteria and cyanobacteria.
4. Formation of organic compounds: Pentose sugars act as building blocks of organic molecules such as DNA, RNA, ATP, ADP, NAD, NADP, FAD, GTP, GDP etc. Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq
5. Industry: Sugar is used to make raw materials for various industries including paper and textile industries.
6. Fulfillment of basic needs: It plays an important role in fulfilling the basic needs of people like food, material, medical care, shelter etc.
7. Strengthening the body: The main component of xylem tissue is sugar. Xylem provides rigidity to the plant body. Due to this, the plant does not break in storms. Cellulose gives plants strength and protection and carries loads.
8. Metabolism: Carbohydrates help in the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids in the body. It speeds up the process of peristalsis. Fatty oxidation does not occur in the absence of carbohydrates.
9. As a lubricant: Hyaluronic acid is used as a lubricant or lubricant in bone joints.
10. Anticoagulants: Heparin is a polysaccharide. Heparin acts as an anticoagulant factor in the body. It prevents blood clotting. So blood can move inside the blood vessels.
11. Excretion of waste products: Carbohydrates like fiber help in the elimination of waste products from the body. Faeces play an important role in fertilization. Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq
12. Regulation of brain function: Carbohydrates give energy to the brain to think, act and function.
13. Nucleic Acids: Ribose and deoxyribose are pentose sugars. Pentose sugars form DNA and RNA.
14. Formation of glycocalyx: Carbohydrates are attached to proteins to form glycoproteins and lipids to form glycolipids. Glycoproteins and glycolipids together are called glycocalyx.
15. Antigen production: Different antigens of human blood group are produced from carbohydrates. Antigens are made up of glycoproteins and enhance immunity. Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq
16. Biofuels: Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body. It acts as bio-fuel in the body. Carbohydrates are oxidized by oxygen to form water and CO2. It provides energy to cells. 50-80% of the body’s energy source is carbohydrates. This energy content is 4.1 Kcal/gm.
17. Co-enzymes: ATP, FAD, NAD, NADP etc. are the structural parts of co-enzymes.
18. Body building and repair: Carbohydrates provide extra protein to the body. Excess protein builds and repairs the organism’s body.
19. Hormones and reproduction: Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and Leutinizing hormone (LH) are formed by glycoproteins. It participates in animal reproduction.
20. Fatty Oxidation: Fatty oxidation is very important for the organism. Carbohydrate Op for Fatty Oxidation