Carbohydrate
A biomolecule composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, usually with hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio found in water.
Formula / equation
Cₓ(H₂O)_y
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Carbohydrates serve as immediate fuel, as energy stores and as structural material. They are classified by the number of sugar units they contain, and their many hydroxyl groups make the smaller ones highly soluble and capable of extensive hydrogen bonding.
Examples in the real world
Glucose as fuel, starch as a plant store, glycogen as an animal store, and cellulose as plant structure.