None of the options provided accurately describe a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically with a hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio of 2:1, similar to water. They can be classified into simple carbohydrates (sugars) and complex carbohydrates (starches and fibers). They play a key role in energy storage and supply in living organisms.
In contrast, option (a) describes nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, involving a five-carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base, and phosphate groups. Option (b) mentions amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, not carbohydrates. Therefore, it’s important to differentiate between these macromolecules based on their structure and function.