Carbohydrates are made up of what elements?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the elemental composition of carbohydrates, specifically which elements are combined to form carbohydrate molecules.
Answer
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Answer for screen readers
Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
More Information
Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy to living organisms. They are also a major component of plant cell walls in the form of cellulose.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking carbohydrates contain nitrogen. Only proteins and nucleic acids contain nitrogen.
Sources
- What are Carbohydrates? - britannica.com
- Carbohydrates - Structure and Function - khanacademy.org
- Carbohydrates: MedlinePlus - medlineplus.gov