Copyright © Skool Notas Life Sciences Grade 10 Page 0 of 27
, Strand 1: Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level
Topic 1: The chemistry of life
What do you learn here?
• Difference between organic and inorganic compounds.
• The importance of water and minerals in living organisms.
• Different types of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
• Ways in which nutrients are tested and identified.
• The role of vitamins and the consequences of deficiencies.
• Enzymes and how factors affect their function.
• The importance of balanced diets and nutrition.
Glossary
Word Meaning
Import Give or take animal food.
Reagent Substance that identifies chemical reactions.
Immiscible Do not mix with water.
Luminous Let light through.
Helix Three-dimensional spiral shape.
Eutrophication Excess nutrients in water causes oxygen deficiency.
Enzyme Protein that accelerates chemical reactions.
Inorganic compounds
• Examples: water, oxygen, carbon dioxide.
• Water is important for: Transport, dissolving substances, temperature control.
• Mineral elements:
o For humans: Na, K, Ca, P, Fe, I.
o For plants: Macro - N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S | Micro - B, Cu, Cl, Mn, Mo, Zn.
Fertiliser and leaching
• Provide plants with nutrients.
• Leaching: when nutrients such as phosphate leach out.
• Result: Eutrophication - aquatic life is dying.
Organic compounds
• Carbohydrates: C, H, O - source of energy.
• Monosaccharides: glucose.
• Disaccharide: maltose.
• Polysaccharides: starch, glycogen.
• Tests:
o Starch: Positive - blue-black.
o Benedict/Fehling for glucose: Positive - red/orange.
Lipids (fats and oils)
• Consists of glycerol + fatty acids.
• Saturated (lard) vs. unsaturated (olive oil).
• Functions:
o Structure of cell membranes.
o Energy storage.
o Insulation and protection.
o Waterproofing in plants.
• Tests:
o Ether test: Positive - oil mark.
o Water test: Positive - does not mix with water.
Copyright © Skool Notas Life Sciences Grade 10 Page 1 of 27
, Strand 1: Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level
Topic 1: The chemistry of life (continued)
Proteins
• C, H, O, N (+ sometimes S, Fe, P).
• Made from amino acids.
• Structures:
o Primary → order.
o Secondary → folding.
o Tertiary → 3D form.
o Quaternary → several chains.
• Tests:
o Millon: burgundy.
o Biuret: violet/purple.
• Factors affecting structure: temperature, pH, salt concentration.
Enzymes
• Specialized proteins.
• Function as biological catalysts.
• Optimum conditions: temperature and pH.
• Examples:
o Amilase - starch.
o Protease - proteins.
o Lipase - fats.
Nucleic acids
• DNA – stores genetic code.
• RNA - helps to make proteins.
Vitamins
• Essential for metabolism.
• Deficiency Diseases:
o A - night blindness.
o B - beriberi, pellagra.
o C - Scurvy.
o D - rickets.
o E - Nerve problems.
Balanced diet
• Include all the most important nutrients.
• Energy intake must correspond to energy consumption.
• 1g fat = 9 calories | 1g of protein or carbohydrate = 4 calories.
• ADH (Recommended Dietary Amount) shows how many nutrients a person needs daily.
Malnutrition
• Causes: poverty, environment, food insecurity.
• Too few or too many nutrients can lead to health problems.
Copyright © Skool Notas Life Sciences Grade 10 Page 2 of 27
, Strand 1: Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level
Topic 1: The chemistry of life
What do you learn here?
• Difference between organic and inorganic compounds.
• The importance of water and minerals in living organisms.
• Different types of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
• Ways in which nutrients are tested and identified.
• The role of vitamins and the consequences of deficiencies.
• Enzymes and how factors affect their function.
• The importance of balanced diets and nutrition.
Glossary
Word Meaning
Import Give or take animal food.
Reagent Substance that identifies chemical reactions.
Immiscible Do not mix with water.
Luminous Let light through.
Helix Three-dimensional spiral shape.
Eutrophication Excess nutrients in water causes oxygen deficiency.
Enzyme Protein that accelerates chemical reactions.
Inorganic compounds
• Examples: water, oxygen, carbon dioxide.
• Water is important for: Transport, dissolving substances, temperature control.
• Mineral elements:
o For humans: Na, K, Ca, P, Fe, I.
o For plants: Macro - N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S | Micro - B, Cu, Cl, Mn, Mo, Zn.
Fertiliser and leaching
• Provide plants with nutrients.
• Leaching: when nutrients such as phosphate leach out.
• Result: Eutrophication - aquatic life is dying.
Organic compounds
• Carbohydrates: C, H, O - source of energy.
• Monosaccharides: glucose.
• Disaccharide: maltose.
• Polysaccharides: starch, glycogen.
• Tests:
o Starch: Positive - blue-black.
o Benedict/Fehling for glucose: Positive - red/orange.
Lipids (fats and oils)
• Consists of glycerol + fatty acids.
• Saturated (lard) vs. unsaturated (olive oil).
• Functions:
o Structure of cell membranes.
o Energy storage.
o Insulation and protection.
o Waterproofing in plants.
• Tests:
o Ether test: Positive - oil mark.
o Water test: Positive - does not mix with water.
Copyright © Skool Notas Life Sciences Grade 10 Page 1 of 27
, Strand 1: Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level
Topic 1: The chemistry of life (continued)
Proteins
• C, H, O, N (+ sometimes S, Fe, P).
• Made from amino acids.
• Structures:
o Primary → order.
o Secondary → folding.
o Tertiary → 3D form.
o Quaternary → several chains.
• Tests:
o Millon: burgundy.
o Biuret: violet/purple.
• Factors affecting structure: temperature, pH, salt concentration.
Enzymes
• Specialized proteins.
• Function as biological catalysts.
• Optimum conditions: temperature and pH.
• Examples:
o Amilase - starch.
o Protease - proteins.
o Lipase - fats.
Nucleic acids
• DNA – stores genetic code.
• RNA - helps to make proteins.
Vitamins
• Essential for metabolism.
• Deficiency Diseases:
o A - night blindness.
o B - beriberi, pellagra.
o C - Scurvy.
o D - rickets.
o E - Nerve problems.
Balanced diet
• Include all the most important nutrients.
• Energy intake must correspond to energy consumption.
• 1g fat = 9 calories | 1g of protein or carbohydrate = 4 calories.
• ADH (Recommended Dietary Amount) shows how many nutrients a person needs daily.
Malnutrition
• Causes: poverty, environment, food insecurity.
• Too few or too many nutrients can lead to health problems.
Copyright © Skool Notas Life Sciences Grade 10 Page 2 of 27
