Sugars and starches that serve as a major source of energy are classified as what?

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Proteins
• C. Lipids
• D. Nucleic acids

Answer: (A)

Sugars and starches are carbohydrates, a family of molecules built from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that provide most of the body’s readily available energy. Simple sugars like glucose supply quick energy, while starches are plant storage forms for longer-term energy. Carbohydrates are typically water-soluble because of their many hydroxyl groups, helping them play a central energy role in metabolism. In contrast, proteins are made of amino acids and perform numerous structural and catalytic functions; lipids store energy and form membranes but are not sugars; nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information. So the best classification for sugars and starches is carbohydrates.