Where are carbohydrates typically found?

Carbohydrates are found in a wide variety of foods, making them a fundamental component of many diets around the world. They can be categorized into simple carbohydrates, such as sugars found in fruits, and complex carbohydrates, such as starches found in grains and vegetables. Additionally, carbohydrates are present in dairy products and legumes, as well as processed foods containing sugars and starches. This broad distribution across many food types is what makes carbohydrates a primary source of energy for organisms.

In contrast, the other options are too restrictive or inaccurate. Limiting carbohydrates to only fruits or only vegetables overlooks the numerous other sources they come from, such as grains, legumes, and dairy. Also, stating that carbohydrates are found exclusively in animal tissues is incorrect since animals primarily store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen, but carbohydrates themselves are not a major component of animal tissues compared to how they are found in plants and foods derived from them.