What class of macromolecules consists of sugars and starches?

Carbohydrates are a class of macromolecules that primarily consist of sugars and starches. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically following the general formula of (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of repeating units. Carbohydrates serve as a significant energy source for living organisms and play various structural roles.

Simple carbohydrates, or sugars, include monosaccharides like glucose and fructose, which are the building blocks of more complex carbohydrates. Starches are polysaccharides, which are long chains of glucose units, and function as energy storage in plants. The unique properties of carbohydrates, such as their soluble forms and their ability to break down into simpler sugars, highlight their essential role in biological processes.

Other macromolecule classes, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, have distinct structures and functions that do not encompass the characteristics of sugars and starches, solidifying that carbohydrates are the correct answer for this question.