In the second stage compounds of the general formula Cx(H2O)y are formed. What name is given to this group of compounds?

In the second stage compounds of the general formula Cx(H2O)y are formed. What name is given to this group of compounds?

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

Answer: (B)

Carbohydrates are the compounds formed in that stage, described by the general formula Cx(H2O)y. This reflects the idea that they are carbon atoms bonded to water units, giving the empirical CH2O ratio seen in simple sugars like glucose and in larger forms such as starch and cellulose. Because photosynthesis fixes carbon into sugars that can be used for energy or storage, these products fall under carbohydrates, often thought of as hydrates of carbon. Other biomolecules—nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids—are built from different building blocks and do not follow this Cx(H2O)y pattern, so they don’t fit this description.

Carbohydrates are the compounds formed in that stage, described by the general formula Cx(H2O)y. This reflects the idea that they are carbon atoms bonded to water units, giving the empirical CH2O ratio seen in simple sugars like glucose and in larger forms such as starch and cellulose. Because photosynthesis fixes carbon into sugars that can be used for energy or storage, these products fall under carbohydrates, often thought of as hydrates of carbon. Other biomolecules—nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids—are built from different building blocks and do not follow this Cx(H2O)y pattern, so they don’t fit this description.