Carbohydrates are the main source of energy: 1 g of carbohydrates, with their complete cleavage, releases 16.7 kJ (4 kcal). In addition, carbohydrates in the form of mucopolysaccharides are part of the connective tissue, and in the form of complex compounds (glycoproteins, lipopolysaccharides) are structural elements of cells, as well as constituents of some active biological substances (enzymes, hormones, immune bodies, etc.). ωαγβ