Biological Molecules

• Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids
• Carbohydrates and Lipids contain Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen
• Proteins are made up of :

  • Carbon
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Nitrogen
  • Sulfur
• There are 3 main types of Carbohydrate :

  • monosaccharides
  • disaccharides
  • polysaccharides
• Monosaccharides (found in Carbs) are SIMPLE SUGARS, like :

  • glucose
  • fructose
• Disaccharides (found in Carbs) are two monosaccharides (simple sugars) joined together

  • for example, sucrose
• Polysaccharides (found in Carbs) are many monosaccharides (simple sugars) joined together

  • starch
  • glycogen
  • glucose
• Monosaccharides = simple sugars
• starch is the storage form of glucose
• cellulose (a polysaccharide) is found in plant walls
• glycogen is the storage unit for glucose USED BY ANIMALS

  • found in the liver and muscle tissue
• starch is tested for using Iodine solution

  if the solution turns blue / black, then starch is present
• Proteins are Polymers

  The monomer for proteins is Amino Acids
• Enzymes are proteins
• Proteins fold up into a complex 3D shape, held together by weak bonds. The function of each protein depends on its shape.

  (Proteins are enzymes).

  Because the bonds holding the proteins together are weak, enzymes denature above a certain temperature.
• there are 20 different amino acids that make up proteins
• 50,000 different proteins in the human body
• Protein Uses

  • Cell membranes : control the movement of substances during active transport
  • Enzymes : In photosynthesis, respiration, DNA copying, digestion
  • Hormones : Insulin, Estrogen, Testosterone
  • Antibodies : fighting infection
• Many lipids are triglycerides (a type of fat)

  • the liver makes triglycerides
• examples of Lipids :

  • steroid hormones
  • cholesterol
  • vitamin A & D