Question

Question #dedaf

Answer 1

They belong to very distinctly different chemical families. Read on...

Explanation:

While they share the same three elements, they do so on very different proportions and arrangements.

Most carbohydrates have empirical formula `CH_2O`, meaning that the molecule consists of a multiple of this basic formula repeated (usually) 6 times to form a glucose molecule as an example. Complex carbohydrates like cellulose and starch are long chains of these basic units.

Lipids actually include a wide variety of molecules, including fats and cholesterol. Fats are based on a glycerin molecule to which three long-chain organic "fatty" acids have been bonded.

The role and function of these molecules in the body is quite different for the two groups, and so, they are seen as separate families.