A glycosidic bond is a type of covalent bond that connects a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another molecule, which can be another sugar or a different type of compound. This bond forms when the hydroxyl group of one sugar reacts with the anomeric carbon of another, releasing a water molecule in a process called dehydration synthesis. Glycosidic bonds are essential in forming complex carbohydrates like starch, glycogen, and cellulose. They determine the structure and function of these polysaccharides, influencing how organisms store energy and build cellular structures.