Which elements make up carbohydrates?

Which elements make up carbohydrates?

• A. C, H, N
• B. C, H, O
• C. C, H, O, N
• D. C, H, O, P

Answer: (B)

Carbohydrates are built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, typically in the ratio CH2O (as seen in glucose, C6H12O6). Nitrogen and phosphorus aren’t part of the basic carbohydrate structure; nitrogen appears in proteins and nucleic acids, while phosphorus is key in nucleotides and energy compounds. Some carbohydrate derivatives may include other elements, but the defining composition of carbohydrates is C, H and O.

Carbohydrates are built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, typically in the ratio CH2O (as seen in glucose, C6H12O6). Nitrogen and phosphorus aren’t part of the basic carbohydrate structure; nitrogen appears in proteins and nucleic acids, while phosphorus is key in nucleotides and energy compounds. Some carbohydrate derivatives may include other elements, but the defining composition of carbohydrates is C, H and O.