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Biological molecules
Introduction
biological molecules are the building blocks of biology. they are typically used to characterise most molecules and ions in living organisms and they contribute to various biological processes.
some processes include metabolism and cell division.
Most biological compounds are organic compounds meaning that they are made up mostly of carbon.
Biological molecules consist of many elements.
they consist of carbon , oxygen , nitrogen and hydrogen.
there are four major biological molecules that we need to know. these are carbohydrates , lipids , proteins and nucleic acids.
which elements do carbohydrates and lipids have?
Carbs are made form C ,H,O
which elements do proteins consist of?
C,H,O,N,S
Which elements do nucleic acids consist of?
C,H,O,N,P
Monomers and polymers
what are monomers?
Monomers are small units which form a larger molecule. Monosaccharides , amino acids and nucleic acids are examples of important polymers.
What is a polymer?
A polymer consist of a chain of monomers together.
How do you describe a polymer?
A polymer is a simple long chain of complex molecules which consist of smaller monomers strung together in a chain.
What us the function of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are the primary sources of energy within the body. they are broken down into glucose which is used in the body's cell in the making of energy. they can also serve as structural functions in cell walls.
What is the function of lipids
Lipids are important for energy storage and insulation for the body. they play a structural role in membranes.
What is the function of proteins?
Proteins have many important roles such as serving as enzymes , transporting molecules and acting as structure in cells as well as regulating gene expression.
What is the structure of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are composed of hydrogen , carbon and oxygen.
What is the structure of lipids
proteins are made from amino acids which are linked together with peptide bonds to form long chains. loner chains of amino acids determine the structure and function of the proteins.
What is the structure of nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides , a sugar , a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. the sequence of amino acids determines the genetic information stored in DNA and RNA.
What is the relationship between biological molecules and enzymes.
enzymes are proteins which catalyse down chemical reactions within the body. Enzymes are specific to the certain substrates and act to break down or build biological molecules such as carbohydrates , lipids and proteins.