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ESSENTIAL BIOMOLECULES. Monomers & Polymers Monomers bind together to form large polymers. CARBOHYDRATES (Sugars). Carbohydrates are compounds used to supply energy & build parts of the DNA molecule. Found in rice, bread, cereal, pasta, milk, fruit, potatoes. Monosaccharides
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Monomers & Polymers Monomers bind together to form large polymers
CARBOHYDRATES (Sugars) • Carbohydrates are compounds used to supply energy & build parts of the DNA molecule. • Found in rice, bread, cereal, pasta, milk, fruit, potatoes...
Monosaccharides Simple sugars Galactose
Disaccharides Two bonded monosaccharides Sucrose (1 glucose, 1 fructose) Maltose (2 glucose) 5
Polysaccharides Many monosaccharides bonded together. sugars a) Glycogen (stored glucose in animals). Found in liver and muscles.
c) Cellulose (structural molecule). Used by plants to build their cell walls. Main component of dietary fiber.
LIPIDS(Fats) • Lipids make a very varied family of molecules. • Found in oils, waxes & fats.
Structure: Glycerol molecule & up to three fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated) bonded together.
One glycerol molecule and up to three fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated)
SATURATED FAT Structural formula of a saturated fat molecule Stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid
UNSATURATED FAT Structural formula of an unsaturated fat molecule Oleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid double bond causes bending
Unsaturatedfats are found in plant products (olive oil, sunflower oil, margarine, avocado...). A healthier diet choice. Saturatedfats are found in animal products (bacon, butter, lard...). A less healthier diet choice (exception: fish).
Function: long-term energy storage in the form of triglycerides.
Secret for weight-loss: stop eating carbohydrates. • Force the body to use stored triglycerides first (exercise & diet).
Function: fat under the skin and in adipose tissue provides padding & cushions internal body structures. 20
Function: the steroid family of hormones involved in many body processes are lipids.
PROTEINS • Proteins are found everywhere in the body. They account for 50% of a cell’s dry mass, have a huge range of functions and make up an extremely important group of molecules. • Found in meat, eggs, milk, cheese...
MANY, MANY DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS! 1. Build structures: organs, blood vessels, muscles, nails, hair (ex: keratin, collagen, actin & myosin). 2. Defence against infection: antibodies are proteins. 3. Transport proteins carry materials around the body (ex: hemoglobin carries oxygen) . 4. Chemical control: enzymes are proteins. 5. Body control: hormones are proteins. 6. Bufferproteins prevent pH changes.
Keratin in hair and nails. • Collagen & elastin in skin.
Proteins can be denatured by strong acids, strong bases and by high temperatures.
NUCLEIC ACIDS (DNA & RNA) • Big, massive and immovable DNA is an instruction manual for building an organism. RNA is an assistant molecule necessary for the use of DNA. • DNA is used to make chromosomes (46 in humans). Chromosomes are divided into genes (approx. 25000 in humans). • Genes store coded information used to build proteins (1 gene=1 protein).
VITAMINS & MINERALS • Small elements and molecules needed by the body in small amounts for proper functioning.
Lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy, a disease common in 17 & 18th Century navies
Between 1600 – 1800 scurvy killed 1.245.789 English sailors alone.