Complex Carbohydrates

Polysaccharides

• Include starch, glycogen and cellulose
• Long chains of glucose molecules linked together
• In starch, glucose molecules are linked together in long straight chains and is a storage molecule in plants
• In glycogen, glucose molecules are linked together in highly branched chains and is a storage molecule in animals and fungi
• In cellulose, glucose molecules are linked in long straight chains

Storage

• Glycogen and starch are storage forms of glucose
  • Insoluble in water and do not affect water potential
  • Too large to diffuse out of cells and thus remain within the cells
  • Compact shapes