Polysaccharides

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate molecules that are long chains of simpler monosaccharides (sugars) bonded together.

About Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides must be digested to form monosaccharides before being absorbed into the blood.

Some polysaccharides you should know are:

• Starch - An essential nutrient in our diets which provides us with energy.
• Cellulose - An indigestible polysaccharide, often referred to as fibre, found in the cell wall of plants.
• Chitin - An indigestible polysaccharide found in the cell wall of fungi.