What are the main differences between sugars and polysaccharides, including structure and examples?
Two types of sugars – monosaccharides (glucose) and disaccahrides (sucrose) If you join the right two monosaccharides by a condensation reaction you will get a disaccharide. Glucose + glucose will give you maltose. Glucose + fructose will give sucrose. More monosaccharides can be joined together in this way to form long branched or unbranched chains. These are the polysaccharides, like starch and cellulose. Sugars are soluble, easily transported and are a good source of energy Starch is insoluble but can be changed back into sugars, so it acts as an immobile energy reserve. Good for storage Cellulose is strong and relatively inert, so it makes an excellent building material for cell walls, stems etc.
