These structures have been installed and operated for a number of reasons: 1  locks allow navigation on large rivers to facilitate boating traffic. 2  weirs create pool environments for diversion into irrigation channels, for pump intakes, recreational boating and swimming, and other aesthetic reasons.
Medical Definition of carbohydrate. : any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods.
What is the difference between a simple carbohydrate and a complex carbohydrate? The body breaks down carbohydrate into glucose (a type of sugar) to provide energy. The number of sugars found in the chemical structure of the carbohydrate determines if it is a simple or a complex carbohydrate. Simple carbohydrates contain no more than two sugars. Carbohydrates with more than two sugars in their structures are considered complex carbohydrates. Compared to simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates are generally absorbed slower and thus take longer for the body to digest.