What leads to the formation of polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are formed through the condensation of monosaccharides. This process involves the joining of individual sugar molecules (monosaccharides) via glycosidic bonds, which are created when a hydroxyl group from one monosaccharide reacts with a hydrogen atom from another, releasing a molecule of water (hence "condensation"). This reaction leads to the formation of larger carbohydrate molecules with varying chain lengths.

Understanding this process is essential, as polysaccharides like starch, glycogen, and cellulose serve a variety of functions in organisms, including energy storage and providing structural support. The formation process highlights the significance of dehydration synthesis in building complex carbohydrates from simple sugars, which are fundamental components in biological systems.