Carbohydrates are compounds of tremendous biological importance since they:
- provide energy through oxidation
- supply carbon for the synthesis of cell components
- serve as a form of stored chemical energy
- are the means by which cells recognise each other and are the basis of the immune system
Download the Word file (see below) to read this teacher resource, which provides information about carbohydrates. It follows on from the article about macronutrients, giving more detail about this important group of energy-rich food substances.