Carbohydrate Apr 2026

Physiology, Carbohydrates - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH

They provide physical structure, such as cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in insect exoskeletons. carbohydrate

, often referred to as "carbs," are biological molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The name literally means "hydrated carbon" because they typically follow a chemical ratio of one carbon atom to one water molecule ( Key Functions Physiology, Carbohydrates - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf -

They are the body’s primary fuel. The digestive system breaks them down into glucose, which provides immediate energy for cells. often referred to as "carbs

Plants store extra energy as starch , while humans and other animals store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles.

Carbohydrates are essential to life and serve several critical roles: