Biological molecules

• What are biological molecules found in living organisms?

  Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• What are biological molecules generally made up of?

  Smaller basic units
• How can biological molecules be utilized in respiration?

  • Broken down into smaller molecules
  • Energy transferred during respiration
• What are the smallest units of carbohydrates?

  Simple sugars
• What are monomers in the context of carbohydrates?

  Smallest units like glucose
• How are large complex carbohydrates synthesized?

  • Monomers joined in long chains
  • Example: Starch
• What are long chains of simple sugars called?

  Polymers
• What can enzymes do to polymers?

  Break them down into sugars
• What are proteins made up of?

  Long chains of amino acids
• What can enzymes do to proteins?

  Break them down into amino acids
• What are lipids made from?

  Glycerol and three fatty acids
• Why are lipids not considered polymers?

  They don’t form long chains of repeating units
• What can enzymes do to lipids?

  Break them down into glycerol and fatty acids
• What are the monomers that result from the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins?

  • Carbohydrates: Simple sugars
  • Proteins: Amino acids
• What is the first step in understanding biological molecules?

  Learn the whole monopolymer concept
• What is the significance of chloroplasts in photosynthesis?

  • Site of photosynthesis
  • Converts light energy into chemical energy
• What is the overall process of photosynthesis?

  1. Light absorption
  2. Conversion of CO2 and water into glucose
  3. Release of oxygen
• What are some key terms related to biological molecules?

  • Monomers
  • Polymers
  • Amino acids
  • Simple sugars