Which of the following compounds is also classified as a carbohydrate?

• A. Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\))
• B. Glycine (\(C_2H_5NO_2\))
• C. Cholesterol (\(C_{27}H_{46}O\))
• D. Adenine (\(C_5H_5N_5\))

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in a specific ratio, typically 1:2:1. Their general formula is often represented as \((CH_2O)_n\), where 'n' is the number of repeating units.
2. Step 2: Analyze the molecular formula of each compound provided in the question. Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)), Glycine (\(C_2H_5NO_2\)), Cholesterol (\(C_{27}H_{46}O\)), and Adenine (\(C_5H_5N_5\)). Compare their composition to the typical carbohydrate formula.
3. Step 3: Identify which compound fits the carbohydrate criteria. Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) has a carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen ratio of 1:2:1, which matches the carbohydrate definition. The other compounds contain additional elements like nitrogen (N) or have different ratios of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
4. Step 4: Recognize that Glycine is an amino acid, Cholesterol is a lipid, and Adenine is a nitrogenous base found in nucleic acids. These classifications are distinct from carbohydrates.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) is the compound classified as a carbohydrate based on its molecular formula and structure.