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Biology for Kids

Carbohydrates

What are carbohydrates?

When most people refer to carbohydrates they are talking about foods that are starchy (like bread, pasta, and rice) or are sugary (like candy, cookies, and cake). In science, when we talk about carbohydrates we are talking about specific types of molecules.

Carbohydrates are one of the four major groups of organic molecules; the other three being proteins, nucleic acids (DNA), and lipids (fats). Carbohydrates are made up of three elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

What do they do?

Carbohydrates are important to the daily lives of living organisms. They store energy (starches), provide energy for cells (glucose), and provide structure to plants and some animals.

Types of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are sometimes referred to as saccharides. The different types of carbohydrates all have the word "saccharide" in them.
More about Complex Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides)

There are four important types of complex carbohydrates: What happens to left over carbohydrates?

When you eat carbohydrates your body uses them for energy. However, if you eat more than your body needs, it will convert them into fat. Fat is the way that the body stores energy for later use. The body is trying to save up energy for a later time when you don't have any carbohydrates to eat.

Interesting Facts about Carbohydrates
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