What is the function of sugar in a cell?

Answer 1

When we talk about sugar, we use the scientific word carbohydrates, which are a source of energy in our body. they have three major biochemical roles:

-They are a source of stored energy that can be released in a form usable by organisms

-They are used to transport stored energy within complex organisms

-They serve as carbon skeletons that can be rearranged to form new molecules.

(Sadava 2011)

In our body, they are broken down in a series of chemical reactions to form energy, through glycolysis. there are 2 kind of pathways to form this energy from sugar: aerobic pathway and anaerobic pathways. In an aerobic pathway, oxygen is needed to break down completely the sugar into CO2 and water and energy in form of ATP (cellular respiration). In an anaerobic respiration, oxygen is not needed and sugar is broken down to lactic acid or alcohol and CO2 (fermentation). this is the main function of sugar in our body. Big sugar like glycogen, store glucose in the liver and muscles, serving as an energy storage. This glycogen is later broken down to liberate the stored energy. Therefore, sugar can store energy and give energy.

Reference:

Life, The Science of Biology, ninth edition (David Sadava et al.), 2011

Answer 2

Energize the cell