What elements are carbohydrates generally composed of?

Carbohydrates are generally composed of three primary elements: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). The typical ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in carbohydrates is 2:1, similar to that of water (H₂O). They can exist as simple sugars, such as glucose, or as complex molecules like starch and cellulose, which are formed by linking multiple sugar units together.