Tag: Elemental ratio

Carbohydrates, the most abundant biomolecules on Earth, are famously known for being composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a specific ratio. This simple formula, represented as $(CH_2O)_n$, is the foundation for understanding their chemical structure, from simple sugars to complex starches.

While the term 'carbohydrate' literally means 'hydrated carbon,' this classic formula isn't universally accurate for all carbohydrates. The simple 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is a fundamental principle, but exceptions reveal the diverse nature of these essential biomolecules.

While carbohydrates have a predictable 1:2:1 carbon-to-hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio, the elemental composition of proteins is not consistent enough to be represented by a simple ratio. This is because proteins are complex polymers made from a wide variety of amino acids, which contain varying amounts of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.