Polysaccharide

Definition

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages. They serve various functions including energy storage (like starch) and building materials (like cellulose).

Related terms

Monosaccharide:

The simplest form of carbohydrate; they're like individual train cars in our analogy.

Glycosidic linkage: The covalent bond that holds together the monosaccharides in a polysaccharide; these are like the couplings connecting each train car.

Starch:

A type of polysaccharide used by plants for energy storage; this would be akin to a cargo train carrying goods.