Polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units, can be classified into two main categories:
Homopolysaccharides: These are composed of only one type of monosaccharide. Examples include:
Starch: A plant storage polysaccharide made of glucose units, consisting of amylose and amylopectin.
Glycogen: Similar to starch but more extensively branched, it serves as energy storage in animals and fungi.
Cellulose: Composed of β-glucose units, it forms the structural component of plant cell walls.
Inulin: Found in tubers and roots, it is made up of fructose units.
Heteropolysaccharides: These contain two or more different kinds of monosaccharides. Examples include:
Hyaluronic Acid: Present in connective tissues and skin, it is composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine.
Heparin: Found in mast cells and blood, it is an anticoagulant composed of various sugars including D-glucuronic acid and L-iduronic acid.
Polysaccharides can also be classified based on their charge:
Positively charged polysaccharides: Such as chitosan.
Negatively charged polysaccharides: Including alginate, heparin, hyaluronic acid, and pectin.