Question

Explain how carbohydrates are used by living organisms.

Answer 1

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for most heterotrophic organisms.

Carbohydrates which include sugars and starches are the primary energy sources produced in plants and used by heterotrophic organisms.

Carbohydrates are composed of a basic chemical formula that typically contains a ratio of one Carbon atom for every two hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom$C_1{H}_2{O}_1.$ Basically one carbon atom for everyone's water molecule Carbon + Water = Carbohydrate.

Monosaccharides or Single Carbon Chain Sugars include Glucose $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6.$

Disaccharides or Double Carbon Chain Sugars include Sucrose $C_{12}{H}_{22}{O}_{11}.$

Combining monosaccharides and disaccharides create Polysaccharides which are complex sugars called starches.