|Carbohydrates part-2| Oligosaccharide & Polysaccharides |Class 11th| Chapter| Biological Molecules|

Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates made up of 2 to 10 simple sugar units (monosaccharides) linked together by glycosidic bonds. Examples include maltose (2 glucose units) and sucrose (glucose + fructose). They play important roles in cell signaling, energy storage, and immune responses. Polysaccharides are long chains of more than 10 monosaccharide units. These are complex carbohydrates and include starch (plant energy storage), glycogen (animal energy storage), and cellulose (plant cell wall structure). They serve as energy reserves, structural support, and cell protection.