Which of the following is NOT a component of carbohydrates?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Hydrogen
• C. Oxygen
• D. Carbon

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the basic composition of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed primarily of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. Their general formula is often represented as Cₓ(H₂O)ᵧ, indicating the presence of these three elements.
2. Step 2: Recall that carbohydrates do not typically contain nitrogen (N) as part of their structure. Nitrogen is more commonly found in proteins and nucleic acids, where it plays a key role in forming amino groups and nitrogenous bases.
3. Step 3: Review the options provided in the question: Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Carbon. Compare each element to the known composition of carbohydrates.
4. Step 4: Identify that Nitrogen is the element that does not belong to the typical composition of carbohydrates, as it is not part of their molecular structure.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer to the question is Nitrogen, as it is NOT a component of carbohydrates.