Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates

  Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O)
• Lipids

  Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O)
• Proteins

  Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N)
• Nucleic acids

  Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P)
• Monomer


  Smaller units that combine to make a large molecule (polymer)
• Polymer


  Large molecule made up of many monomers joined together
• The process by which monomers join to form a polymer is known as polymerisation
• Biological molecule: Carbohydrates

  Monomer: Monosaccharides

  Polymer: Polysaccharides
• Biological molecule: Proteins

  Monomer: Amino acids

  Polymer: Polypeptides
• Biological molecule: Neucleic acid

  Monomer: Nucleotides

  Polymer: Polynucleotides
• Most polymers are synthesised via a condensation reaction and broken down via a hydrolysis reaction. 
• Condensation The removal of water to form a chemical bond between two molecules. 
• Hydrolysis The addition of water to break a chemical bond between two molecules.