Which of the following families of organic molecules is primarily involved in storage and energy release?

Carbohydrates are primarily involved in the storage and release of energy for various biological functions. They are composed of sugar molecules, which can be quickly broken down through cellular respiration to provide energy in the form of ATP for cellular processes.

When carbohydrates are consumed, they can be stored in the body as glycogen in the liver and muscles. When energy is needed, glycogen is converted back into glucose, which can then be rapidly utilized by cells. This efficient mechanism makes carbohydrates a key player in short-term energy storage and release.

On the other hand, proteins primarily serve as building blocks for tissues, enzymes, and hormones rather than as a primary energy source. Vitamins act as co-factors in various biochemical reactions and are essential for health, but they do not store or release energy themselves. Hormones are signaling molecules that regulate processes in the body but are not directly involved in the storage or release of energy. Therefore, carbohydrates are the organic molecules that fulfill the primary role of energy storage and release in living organisms.