UNIT 4: MATTER AND ITS INTERACTIONS

Module 3: BIOMOLECULES

CARBOHYDRATES

 These are the major source of energy for the body. These are simple sugar, starch and cellulose.
 All carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
 They are molecules made from aldehydes and ketones containing numerous hydroxyl groups.

1. Monosaccharides are composed of a single ring. It is the simplest sugar and the basic sub unit of a carbohydrate. The most
common monosaccharides are glucose and fructose.
a. Glucose/ dextrose- simple sugar that circulates in the blood of animals as blood sugar
b. Fructose- sugar found in fruits
2. Disaccharides consist of two monosaccharides that are chemically combined.
a. Lactose is an example of disaccharide. It is made up of a sugar called galactose and glucose.
b. Maltose- it is also known as malt sugar. It is a sugar found in grains.
3. Polysaccharides are polymers containing numerous monosaccharides monomers. The three common polysaccahrides are
starch, glycogen and cellulose.
a. Starch- chief storage form of carbohydrates in plants and the most important source of carbohydrates in human.
b. Glycogen- readily available energy stored in the liver and muscles and the one that is easily metabolized.
c. Cellulose

LIPIDS

 They are water insoluble molecules that are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
 Fats and oils are triglycerides that are combinations of glycerol and three fatty acids.
 The most abundant lipids are the fats and oils.
1. Carboxylic acid or fatty acid-
2. Triglycerides or neutral fats-
a. Fats- solids at room temperature and contain saturated fatty acids. Example:
lard and butter
b. Oils- liquids at room temperature and contain unsaturated fatty acids. Most
oils such as vegetable oil, corn oil and olive oil are produced by plants.
3. Steroids- are another class of lipids whose molecules are composed of fused of
atoms. The most important steroid is cholesterol.
4. Waxes

PROTEINS

 Proteins are polymers of amino acids. They are found as structural materials in hair, nails and connective tissues.
 Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts

NUCLEIC ACIDS

 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are nucleic acids. Both DNA and RNA are polymers that are made up
of nucleotides.
 RNA is responsible for the template in the synthesis of proteins which in turn control the operation and function of the cell.
 DNA contains the genetic instruction used in the development and functioning of all living organisms.
 Nucleotides are molecules that are composed of three parts; a five carbon sugar, a nitrogen- containing base, and a
phosphate group.