(updated 12/12/00)
 
 

Carbohydrates are organic compounds that have the general chemical formula Cn(H2O)n. They are classified as Monosaccharides (single unit sugars) Disaccharides (two unit sugars) and Polysaccharides (many unit sugars). Carbohydrates are generally used for energy storage by plants and as a food source in animals. Cellulose (The polysaccharride pictured to the left) is the major component of cell walls. Note that it is composed of many single unit sugars linked end to end.