Answer: Carbohydrates usually function as energy storage or structural materials, and are composed of monosaccharides (simple sugars). All monosaccharides have three carbon atoms with a carbonyl group attached to one of the carbons, and hydroxyl groups attached to the remaining two. Monosaccharides are the primary fuel for metabolic processes, so we need the monosaccharides in carbohydrates to fuel our metabolic processes, making it an important part of our diet. If the subcomponents were joined by 1-6 linkages instead of 1-4 linkages, it wouldn't be called amylose, it would change to glycogen, making it less soluble.
