Carbohydrates are primarily composed of which elements?

Carbohydrates are organic compounds that primarily consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The general formula for carbohydrates is often represented as C_n(H2O)_n, indicating a composition where for every carbon atom, there is typically a proportionate amount of water (hydrogen and oxygen). This relationship highlights the role of these three elements in forming simple carbohydrates like glucose and more complex carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose.

Understanding this composition is essential for recognizing how carbohydrates function in biological systems—providing energy and serving as structural components in organisms. The presence of carbon forms the backbone of carbohydrate molecules, while the hydrogen and oxygen are crucial in forming the structure and determining the solubility and functionality of the carbohydrates in food and metabolism.