Biological Molecules:
Biological Elements
Water
Carbohydrates
Testing for Carbohydrates
Lipids
Structure of Proteins
Types of Proteins
Nucleic Acids
DNA Replication and the Genetic Code
Protein Synthesis
ATP
Biological Elements
,Organisms use nutrients to build and maintain a healthy body.
- They are digested and rebuilt to form different parts of the organism.
- They are used to provide the energy needed to drive metabolic processes.
Fibre isn’t a nutrient as it is indigestible so provides no energy or nutrients. It eases the flow
of materials. It eases the flow of materials through the gut by giving the gut muscle a bulk to
push against. It also helps to remove waste products such as excess bile salts which can be
toxic. A lack of fibre can cause diseases such as bowel cancer. Fibre is classed as a
carbohydrate.
Key biological molecules include:
- Carbohydrates These molecules make up 99%
- Lipids of living organisms.
- Proteins
They are often polymers.
- Nucleic Acids
Polymers are long-chain molecules made up by the linking of multiple individual molecules
(monomers) in a repeating pattern. In carbohydrates, the monomers are called saccharides
(sugars) and in proteins, the monomers are amino acids.
Carbohydrates: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Lipids: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Proteins: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.
Nucleic acids: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Magnesium, iron, calcium and iodine are considered as separate nutrients.
, Ions in solution are called electrolytes. They have many important uses in organisms.
Cation Role
Calcium Ions (Ca2+) Nerve impulse transmission
Muscle contraction
2+
Sodium Ions (Na ) Nerve impulse transmission
Kidney function
+
Potassium Ions (k ) Nerve impulse transmission
Stomatal opening
+
Hydrogen Ions (H ) Catalysis of reactions
pH determination
-
Ammonium Ions (NH4 ) Production of nitrate ions by bacteria
Anion Role
Nitrate Ions (NO3-) Nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein
formation
Hydrogen Carbonate Ions Maintenance of blood pH
(HCO3-)
Chloride Ions (Cl-) Balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in
cells
Phosphate Ions (PO43-) Cell membrane formation
Nucleic acid and ATP formation
Bone formation
Hydroxide Ions (OH-) Catalysis of reactions
pH determination
Water is sometimes considered as a biological molecule due to its importance to life.
Most nutrients contain covalent bonds. These very strong bonds are formed when atoms
share electrons.
Nutrient Role
Carbohydrates Supply and store energy, Structure and Fibre
Proteins Structure, Transport, Enzymes, Antibodies and Hormones
Lipids Membranes, Energy store, Insulation, Protection, Hormones
Vitamins and Form larger molecules, take part in metabolic reactions,
Minerals coenzymes and enzyme activators.
Nucleic Acids Information Molecules, some carry the genetic information.
Water A reactant, support in plants, solvent, medium for reactions,
transport.
Metabolism – The sum total of the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Biological Elements
Water
Carbohydrates
Testing for Carbohydrates
Lipids
Structure of Proteins
Types of Proteins
Nucleic Acids
DNA Replication and the Genetic Code
Protein Synthesis
ATP
Biological Elements
,Organisms use nutrients to build and maintain a healthy body.
- They are digested and rebuilt to form different parts of the organism.
- They are used to provide the energy needed to drive metabolic processes.
Fibre isn’t a nutrient as it is indigestible so provides no energy or nutrients. It eases the flow
of materials. It eases the flow of materials through the gut by giving the gut muscle a bulk to
push against. It also helps to remove waste products such as excess bile salts which can be
toxic. A lack of fibre can cause diseases such as bowel cancer. Fibre is classed as a
carbohydrate.
Key biological molecules include:
- Carbohydrates These molecules make up 99%
- Lipids of living organisms.
- Proteins
They are often polymers.
- Nucleic Acids
Polymers are long-chain molecules made up by the linking of multiple individual molecules
(monomers) in a repeating pattern. In carbohydrates, the monomers are called saccharides
(sugars) and in proteins, the monomers are amino acids.
Carbohydrates: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Lipids: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Proteins: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.
Nucleic acids: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Magnesium, iron, calcium and iodine are considered as separate nutrients.
, Ions in solution are called electrolytes. They have many important uses in organisms.
Cation Role
Calcium Ions (Ca2+) Nerve impulse transmission
Muscle contraction
2+
Sodium Ions (Na ) Nerve impulse transmission
Kidney function
+
Potassium Ions (k ) Nerve impulse transmission
Stomatal opening
+
Hydrogen Ions (H ) Catalysis of reactions
pH determination
-
Ammonium Ions (NH4 ) Production of nitrate ions by bacteria
Anion Role
Nitrate Ions (NO3-) Nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein
formation
Hydrogen Carbonate Ions Maintenance of blood pH
(HCO3-)
Chloride Ions (Cl-) Balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in
cells
Phosphate Ions (PO43-) Cell membrane formation
Nucleic acid and ATP formation
Bone formation
Hydroxide Ions (OH-) Catalysis of reactions
pH determination
Water is sometimes considered as a biological molecule due to its importance to life.
Most nutrients contain covalent bonds. These very strong bonds are formed when atoms
share electrons.
Nutrient Role
Carbohydrates Supply and store energy, Structure and Fibre
Proteins Structure, Transport, Enzymes, Antibodies and Hormones
Lipids Membranes, Energy store, Insulation, Protection, Hormones
Vitamins and Form larger molecules, take part in metabolic reactions,
Minerals coenzymes and enzyme activators.
Nucleic Acids Information Molecules, some carry the genetic information.
Water A reactant, support in plants, solvent, medium for reactions,
transport.
Metabolism – The sum total of the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
