Which of the following best describes polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are best described as long chains of simple sugars. These complex carbohydrates are formed by the combination of multiple monosaccharides, which are the simplest forms of carbohydrates. The structure of polysaccharides allows them to serve various functions in organisms, including energy storage and providing structural support.

For example, starch and glycogen are polysaccharides that serve as energy storage molecules, while cellulose is a polysaccharide that provides structural integrity to plant cell walls. The long chains give them unique properties, such as being able to form gel-like substances and having different solubility characteristics depending on their structure and composition.

The fact that polysaccharides are not composed of fatty acids, as is the case with lipids, or made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, clarifies their distinct classification as carbohydrates. Although some polysaccharides may have limited solubility in water, generally, they are not characterized primarily by their solubility but rather by their composition and structure.