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How would you differentiate a carbohydrate from a triglyceride based on its structure considering both are composed of C, H, and O?

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Final answer:

Carbohydrates and triglycerides can be differentiated based on their structure. Carbohydrates have the formula (CH₂O)n, while triglycerides consist of glycerol and fatty acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbohydrates can be differentiated from triglycerides based on their structure. Carbohydrates have the general formula (CH₂O)n, where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This means that the ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1 in carbohydrate molecules. Triglycerides, on the other hand, consist of glycerol attached to three fatty acids. Glycerol is an organic compound with three carbon atoms, five hydrogen atoms, and three hydroxyl (-OH) groups, while fatty acids have a long hydrocarbon chain with an acidic carboxyl group attached.

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