Biological Molecules

Carbohydrates

Composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, carbohydrates are crucial to all forms of life.
They serve two major roles in living organisms: to store energy and as structural materials.
Classified into three types: monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates and consist of one sugar. Examples include glucose and fructose.
Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharide units. Examples are sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of multiple monosaccharide units. Starch, glycogen, and cellulose are examples.

Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
They play various vital roles in the body, serving as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and more.
The structure of proteins are complex, with four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, lipids are fats, oils, waxes, and steroids.
They form the structural component of cell membranes and are involved in energy storage, insulation and protection.
Three main groups: triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Lipids are not soluble in water, but are soluble in organic solvents.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are examples of nucleic acids that make up an important part of living cells.
They are responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information.
Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, which consist of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Also considered a biological molecule, water is a vital solvent where biochemical reactions take place in organisms.

Enzymes are a specialized type of protein that act as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in cells.
Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction or group of similar reactions.
The part of the enzyme where the substrate binds is called the active site.
Enzymes’ activities can be influenced by changes in pH, temperature, and concentration.

Understand methods of testing for different types of biological molecules. Use Benedict’s solution for sugars, Biuret test for proteins, and Ethanol emulsion test for lipids.
Understand how to use a colorimeter to measure the concentration of compounds in solution.