Biology Forums - Study Force

This is another question from my exam review, please help...

Why do plants typically store their excess energy as carbohydrates rather than fat?

Because plants are able to produce their own food, it is not necessary for them to have long-term storage of energy provided by fatty acids. Carbohydrate storage is sufficient for plants. When they need more carbohydrates, they just make them. Animals, on the other hand, need to consume their food therefore their bodies have evolved the ability to store energy in more energy-rich molecules for times of famine.

right on point...

that's correct, i wanted to add something that actually validates the answer, it is that in most plants' seeds which will need to germinate without being able to produce their own food for a while, there is a large quantity of oils ( fatty acids ) stored in them.