Question

By definition, carbohydrates contain which elements?

a) Carbon and hydrogen
b) Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen
c) Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
d) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

Answer 1

Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, generally in a 1:2:1 ratio, and serve as energy sources and structural components in biological systems. The correct elements present in carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, making option C the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

By definition, carbohydrates are organic compounds that contain three essential elements: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). These elements are generally found in a 1:2:1 ratio, which is consistent with the stoichiometric formula (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula underscores the reason carbohydrates got their name, as they can be seen as "hydrates of carbon," with water (H2O) being part of their composition.

Carbohydrates serve crucial roles in biological systems, including providing energy to cells, storing energy, and forming structural components like cell walls in plants. Common examples of carbohydrates include sugars, such as glucose (a monosaccharide), and complex forms like starch and cellulose, which are polysaccharides composed of many sugar units linked together.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option C: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Answer 2

Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, generally in a 1:2:1 ratio, and serve as energy sources and structural components in biological systems. The correct elements present in carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, making option C the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

By definition, carbohydrates are organic compounds that contain three essential elements: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). These elements are generally found in a 1:2:1 ratio, which is consistent with the stoichiometric formula (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula underscores the reason carbohydrates got their name, as they can be seen as "hydrates of carbon," with water (H2O) being part of their composition.

Carbohydrates serve crucial roles in biological systems, including providing energy to cells, storing energy, and forming structural components like cell walls in plants. Common examples of carbohydrates include sugars, such as glucose (a monosaccharide), and complex forms like starch and cellulose, which are polysaccharides composed of many sugar units linked together.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option C: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Answer 3

Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, generally in a 1:2:1 ratio, and serve as energy sources and structural components in biological systems. The correct elements present in carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, making option C the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

By definition, carbohydrates are organic compounds that contain three essential elements: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). These elements are generally found in a 1:2:1 ratio, which is consistent with the stoichiometric formula (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. This formula underscores the reason carbohydrates got their name, as they can be seen as "hydrates of carbon," with water (H2O) being part of their composition.

Carbohydrates serve crucial roles in biological systems, including providing energy to cells, storing energy, and forming structural components like cell walls in plants. Common examples of carbohydrates include sugars, such as glucose (a monosaccharide), and complex forms like starch and cellulose, which are polysaccharides composed of many sugar units linked together.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option C: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.