What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?

Carbohydrates are primarily composed of starches and sugars, which serve as key energy sources for the body. They are organic compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio of 2:1, which mimics the structure of water. This composition enables carbohydrates to provide rapid energy for metabolic processes.

Starches are complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of glucose molecules, and they are found in foods like grains, potatoes, and legumes. Sugars, which are simple carbohydrates, include monosaccharides like glucose and fructose, as well as disaccharides like sucrose and lactose. Both starches and sugars are utilized by the body to fuel various physiological functions, making them essential in nutrition. The other choices reference components that are not the primary composition of carbohydrates.