Which type of carbohydrate consists of many monosaccharides linked together?

• A. Disaccharide
• B. Oligosaccharide
• C. Polysaccharide
• D. Monosaccharide

Answer: (C)

Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate composed of long chains of monosaccharides linked together by glycosidic bonds. These complex carbohydrates can consist of hundreds or even thousands of sugar units. Examples of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Their structure allows them to serve various functions in biological systems, such as energy storage and providing structural support in plant cell walls.

In contrast, disaccharides consist of only two monosaccharide units, while oligosaccharides contain a small number (typically between three and ten) of monosaccharides. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and serve as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates. Therefore, polysaccharides distinctly represent the category where many monosaccharides are joined together, highlighting their importance in both energy storage and structural roles in living organisms.