Which statement best describes carbohydrates?

• A. They are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
• B. They store information in the genetic code.
• C. They provide quick energy and are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• D. They are the main components of cell membranes.

Answer: (C)

Carbohydrates are sugars and starches built from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in roughly a 1:2:1 ratio. Their main job is to provide quick energy because glucose and other sugars are readily broken down in cellular respiration to make ATP right away. That’s why this statement is the best fit: it correctly identifies both the chemical makeup and the role as a fast energy source. The idea of storing genetic information belongs to nucleic acids, not carbohydrates. And membranes aren’t made mainly of carbohydrates; they’re dominated by lipids and proteins, with carbohydrates on the surface serving as helpers rather than forming the bulk of the membrane itself.