Which type of carbohydrate includes cellulose and hemicellulose?

The correct answer is polysaccharides because this category refers to complex carbohydrates that are made up of long chains of monosaccharide units. Cellulose and hemicellulose are significant examples of polysaccharides found in plant cell walls.

Cellulose is a structural component, providing rigidity and strength to plant cells. It consists of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, making it indigestible by humans but essential for certain digestive processes, like maintaining gut health.

Hemicellulose, on the other hand, is a heterogeneous polymer made up of various sugars, including xylose, mannose, and arabinose, and serves as a matrix for cellulose fibers. It is also a vital part of dietary fiber.

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit, such as glucose or fructose. Oligosaccharides are slightly more complex, containing 2 to 10 monosaccharides. Disaccharides, such as sucrose and lactose, consist of two monosaccharide units linked together. None of these categories contain cellulose or hemicellulose, which is why polysaccharides are correctly identified as the type of carbohydrate that includes these