**Carbohydrates as Energy Stores**Carbohydrates are __________ for chemical energy.- ○ stable and efficient stores- ○ stable, but inefficient, stores- ○ unstable short-term storesThe correct answer is "stable and efficient stores."**Explanation:**Carbohydrates serve as a primary source of energy for the body, providing a stable and efficient means of storing chemical energy. This makes them essential for various bodily functions and metabolic processes.

Carbohydrates are defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or alcohols with free reducing ends. Sugars with free reducing ends are called reducing sugars. They are also classified into monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides depending on the number of sugar units. Two sugar units are linked by glycosidic bond (C1 of one sugar and C4 of other sugar except in sucrose, C1 of one sugar and C2 of other sugar). Explanation for the correct option-Option A is correct. The best and most reliable sources of chemical energy storage are carbohydrates. They are a specific type of macronutrient that gives the body an immediate source of energy. When ingested, carbohydrates break into glucose, which is then utilized by cells to produce ATP, the body's primary form of energy. As a temporary energy reserve, glucose can be stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. Moreover, carbohydrates can be converted into fat to be stored as long-term energy. Carbohydrates are regarded as stable and effective stores because of their immediate accessibility for the production of energy.Explanation for the incorrect options-Option B is incorrect as carbohydrates are stable as well as efficient stores and not inefficient stores. They are immediately broken down to serve as source of energy. Option C is incorrect. Although, they serve as temporary storage form in the form of glycogen but they are not unstable.Carbohydrates are regarded as stable and effecient stores because of their immediate accessibility for the production of energy.