What is a characteristic of carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are indeed known for their role in providing energy and structural support, which makes this characteristic particularly significant. They are organic molecules that consist primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some carbohydrates, like sugars and starches, serve as key sources of energy for living organisms, as they can be easily broken down during metabolism to release energy.

Additionally, carbohydrates also play a structural role in various organisms. For example, cellulose, a type of carbohydrate, provides structural support in the cell walls of plants. Similarly, chitin, another carbohydrate, serves as a structural polymer in the exoskeletons of arthropods. This dual functionality of providing both energy and structural integrity is what sets carbohydrates apart from other macromolecules, such as lipids or nucleic acids, which have different primary roles in biological systems.