Question

Define carbohydrates and identify their basic subunits?

Answer 1

Hydrates of carbon are carbohydrates. The basic subunits of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides.

Explanation:

Carbohydrates are compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen of the form `C_mH_(2n)O_n`. (See this answer to see why!) The simple unit of ratio of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in carbohydrates is `1:2:1`.

The basic monomers subunits of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides. Monosaccharides join together by polymerzation to for a polymer called a polysaccharide.

Here's a hierarchical breakdown of the subunits you might hear for a simple sugar.

Monosaccharides - one individual unit
Disaccharides - two monosaccharides joined by covalent bonds
Oligosaccharides `3-20` monosaccharides
Polysaccharides a lot `(100+)` of monosaccharides.

Answer 2

carbohydrate is one of the major nutrient it contains sugar and starch.