What are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen called?

• A. Monosaccharides
• B. Polysaccharides
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Disaccharides

Answer: (C)

Organic compounds that are composed predominantly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are classified as carbohydrates. Carbohydrates serve essential roles in biological systems, primarily as a source of energy and as structural components. They are categorized based on the number of sugar units they contain.

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides are specific types of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides consist of single sugar units, disaccharides are formed from two monosaccharides, and polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units. While each of these terms describes types of carbohydrates, the broader category that encompasses all of them, as well as their defining composition of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, is carbohydrates. Thus, the answer is correct as it accurately identifies the general classification of these organic compounds.