What roles do carbohydrates play in living organisms?

Carbohydrates play crucial roles in living organisms primarily as energy sources and structural components. They are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and they can be classified into simple sugars, like glucose, and complex carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose.

As energy sources, carbohydrates are central to cellular metabolism. Glucose, for instance, is a primary energy substrate for cells. During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which powers various cellular activities. Organisms store excess energy in the form of glycogen (in animals) or starch (in plants), which can be broken down into glucose when needed.

In addition to serving as energy sources, carbohydrates are also essential structural components in various biological organisms. Cellulose, a complex carbohydrate, forms the rigid cell walls of plant cells, providing structural support. Chitin, another carbohydrate found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi, serves a similar purpose.

Other options such as genetic information carriers, hormonal regulators, and amino acid precursors pertain to roles carried out by different types of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), hormones (often proteins), and proteins (