Carbohydrate

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /kɑːbəʊˈhaɪdɹeɪt/
• US IPA: /kɑːɹboʊˈhaɪdɹeɪt/

Origin

From their general formula C

n

(H

2

O)

n

they were once thought to be hydrates of carbon.

Noun

1. (organic chemistry, nutrition) A sugar, starch, or cellulose that is a food source of energy for an animal or plant; a saccharide.
   These microbes are primarily responsible for breaking down cellulose and other carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids (VFAs).
• 2013, Katie L. Burke, In the News, Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: the ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• anticarbohydrate
• complex carbohydrate
• simple carbohydrate