Biological Molecules
Organic Molecules: Any compound (substance made of different types of atoms) in a living thing that contains Carbon. There are some exceptions, such as CO2, which you will learn about in the Diploma Program. For now you should know that there are 3 main organic compounds;
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Water is not an organic molecule as it only contains hydrogen and oxygen. Water is however one of the most common and important compounds found in living things. Water is essential for;
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Biomolecules are composed of monomers (small subunits) joined together into polymers (poly means many). You should try to remember the monomers and polymers, the structure, of each biomolecule as well as their functions.
CARBOHYDRATES Structure: Composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. There is always twice as much hydrogen as oxygen. The monomers of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides (a simple sugar). Two of these join together to form a disaccharide, more then join together to form a polysaccharide. Function: There are varied functions, but the perhaps the main one is for energy. Glucose is used by animals as an energy source. Cellular respiration is the process where this energy is released. Three examples: Glucose (monosaccharide) - Source of energy in animals Sucrose (disaccharide) - Transport form of carbohydrates in plants Cellulose (polysaccharide) - Structural component of plant cell walls. |
LIPIDS
Structure: The monomers of lipids are glycerol and fatty acids. Three fatty acid molecules bond to one glycerol molecule to form a triglyceride (the polymer). Function: Energy storage in animals. Lipids contain twice the energy of glucose but are used for long term storage because glucose is more soluble and easier to transport. Lipids are also used by arctic animals insulation (blubber in seals) |
PROTEINS
Structure: The monomer of all proteins is the amino acid. It has the general structure shown in the diagram, notice the Nitrogen. The R-group is the place where all amino acids may differ. There are only 20 amino acids which make up all of the different proteins in living organisms. Many amino acids bond together to form a polypeptide (the polymer) Function: Proteins have many different and important functions;
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Protein Structure is quite complicated. The first (primary) level of structure is the 100s or 1000s of different amino acids bonded together. After this, different types of bonding creates a secondary, tertiary and, sometime, quarternary structure. You will learn more about this in the Diploma Program.