What is the biomolecule with a characteristic hydrogen to oxygen ratio?

[Ed Aboud]

$$C_x (H_2 O)_y$$
What biomolecule is this?
At first I thought carbohydrate but the ratio of hydrogen to carbon is not necessarily 2:1.
And then I said lipid, but then the hydrogen and oxygen are in a ratio of 2:1.
Thanks.

 

[Mike H]

Sucrose has 22 hydrogens and 12 carbons, which does not yield a hydrogen to carbon ratio of 2:1. Is sucrose still a carbohydrate?

I believe the answer to this question will provide you with the answers you need.

 

[Ed Aboud]

Oh ok, I just wasn't sure.
So it only depends on the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen?

 

[Mike H]

Right. It's a carbohydrate - you can distinguish it by the characteristic hydrogen to oxygen ratio.