A nurse instructor explains the various functions of carbohydrates to a group of student nurses. Which of the following is the correct function of carbohydrates in the human body? Select all that apply.

a. Source of energy

b. Forms dietary fiber or roughage

c. Stored source of energy in skeletal muscle

d. Building block of triglyceride

e. Synthesis of DNA

a. Source of energy

c. Stored source of energy in skeletal muscle

e. Synthesis of DNA

Explanation:

Carbohydrate is the chief source of energy in our body. Carbohydrates can exist in our body in the form of monosaccharides, disaccharides or polysaccharides. Glucose and fructose which are monosaccharides are used as an instant source of energy while glycogen which is a polysaccharide is stored in the body for producing energy in future. Glycogen is either stored in skeletal muscles or liver in adipose tissue. Apart from this, carbohydrates are also involved in DNA synthesis because DNA synthesis requires ribose sugar which is a carbohydrate. DNA which is the polymer of nucleotides has three main components a ribose sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.