Unit 4 Biological molecules

Objectives
1. List the chemical elements that make up:

carbohydrates, fats and proteins

4 Describe the structure of a DNA molecule:
2 State that large molecules are made from smaller
(a) two strands coiled together to form a double
molecules, limited to:
helix
(a) starch, glycogen and cellulose from glucose
(b) each strand contains chemicals called bases
(b) proteins from amino acids
(c) bonds between pairs of bases hold the
(c) fats and oils from fatty acids and glycerol
strands together
3 Describe the use of:
(d) the bases always pair up in the same way:
(a) iodine solution test for starch
A with T, and C with G (full names are not
(b) Benedict’s solution test for reducing sugars
required)
(c) biuret test for proteins

(d) ethanol emulsion test for fats and oils

(e) DCPIP test for vitamin C

How life originated on earth? The role of biomolecules!
Biological molecules
● Organic compounds that make up living organisms
● Ex: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Nucleic acids (DNA & RNA)

We are approximately made up of

62% water

16% proteins

16% fats

1% carbohydrates

6% Calcium and phosphorus(Bones), potassium, sodium etc,

Less than 1% DNA

Needed in large quantities Needed in small quantities
by the body by the body

Energy produced Energy not produced

Includes proteins, Includes vitamins and
carbohydrates, fats minerals
1. Carbohydrates Composition: Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen

Group of sugars (sweet tasting)

Building blocks: Glucose

Functions: Instant energy:
(1g gives 17 KJ)
Sources: Rice, Potatoes, Fruits,
Dairy products, liver
Storage reserve: As glycogen
in the liver
Structure of Glucose has
one carbon ring.

Any carbohydrate must

undergo digestion to
breakdown and form
glucose for the cells to
be able to utilize it.
 Multiple
sugar
2 sugar units
1 sugar rings/unit
ring/unit s
 The cell wall in
plant cells is
made of cellulose
which is a
polysaccharide.
Starch Excess glucose as a result
of photosynthesis is stored
as starch which is also a
polysaccharide.
Structurally it is coiled into a
spiral
 Glycogen

Glycogen is a
polysaccharide
too. Animal
cells store
excess
glucose in the
form of
glycogen.
Test for starch using Iodine (dissolved in potassium iodide solution)
Test for reducing sugars using Benedict’s solution
2. Lipids (Fats and Oils)
● Fats - Solid at room temperature
● Oils - Liquid at room temperature
● Lipids have Carbon, Hydrogen and
less Oxygen
● Used as energy stores, used to
make cell membrane and heat
insulating layer under the skin,
Protects vital organs, stores
fat-soluble vitamins.

Fat molecules =

Glycerol + Fatty acids

Test for Lipids
Lipids are Insoluble in water and Soluble in ethanol
3. Proteins
● Biomolecules made up of
building blocks called amino
acids.
● Made up of atoms of Carbon,
Oxygen, Hydrogen and
Nitrogen. Some proteins also
have Sulphur.

● Amino acids are of 20

different types
● Different arrangements of
amino acids can yield
infinite number of proteins
 Examples of important proteins
Antibodies - protects
us against pathogens

Keratin - present in
human nail and hair

Haemoglobin - Red
pigment in RBCs

Enzymes - Biocatalysts
like amylase

Hormones - Insulin etc

Test for Proteins
4. DNA
● Hereditary material in humans and
almost all other organisms.

● DNA is a long polymer made from

repeating units called nucleotides.

● DNA molecule has two intertwined

nucleotide strands, giving a double
helix
● Each nucleotide has a base.
Structure of DNA ●

●
There are 4 bases - A, C, G and T

Base from one nucleotide strand

is bonded with a base from
another nucleotide strand

Complementary base pairing

A always bonds with T
C always bonds with G
Test for Vitamin C - DCPIP test
Vitamins are organic
compounds that people need in
micro quantities.
Each vitamin has a different
role in maintaining health and
bodily function.
Presence of vitamin C in food is
tested using a purple solution
called DCPIP.
It loses colour when it reacts
with vitamin C
Summary