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What does the ‘Structural Role of
Biomolecules’ mean?
Structure = the way in which something is
built e.g. timber structure, steel structure
Role = function/job or position
Biomolecules = carbohydrates, fats, proteins
Structural Role of Biomolecules = the
function/job of carbohydrates, fats, proteins
in making various parts of living things
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Structural role of Carbohydrate
Cell Structure
• Cellulose found in plant cell
walls
• Cotton fibres represent the
purest natural form of
cellulose, containing more
than 90% of this fibre
• Chitin found in fungal cell
walls and insect exoskeletons
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Structural role of Proteins
Cell structure
• Proteins are fibrous (threadlike) in nature.
• They combine with phospholipids to from
cell membranes (lipoproteins)
• Keratin is the structural protein in skin, hair
and nails
• Myosin is the structural protein in muscle
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Learning check
What does the ‘Structural Role of Biomolecules’
mean?
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Structural role of Lipids
Cell Structure
• Important storage molecules in organisms
• Heat insulation – e.g. under the skin
• Waterproof the body
• Protection around body organs e.g. kidney,
heart
• Phospholipids and lipoproteins are major
components in cell membranes
• Myelin helps transmit messages in nerve cells
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Learning check
What is the structural role of proteins?
• Proteins are fibrous (threadlike) in nature.
• They combine with phospholipids to from
cell membranes (lipoproteins)
• Keratin is the structural protein in skin, hair
and nails
• Myosin is the structural protein in muscle
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1.3.7 Metabolic Role of
Biomolecules
Need to know
• State that carbohydrates & lipids act as a
primary source of energy
• State that proteins act as enzymes and are
made of amino acids
• State that hormones (protein) act as
regulators of metabolic activity
• State that vitamin C & D are used for tissue
growth, cell production and health
maintenance
• Name disorders associated with deficiency
of a water soluble and a fat-soluble vitamin10
What does the ‘Metabolic Role of
Biomolecules’ mean?
Metabolic = metabolism = all the chemical
reactions in a cell
Role = function/job or position/involvement
Biomolecules = carbohydrates, fats, proteins
Metabolic Role of Biomolecules = the
function / job / involvement of
carbohydrates, fats, proteins in the chemical
reactions in cells making various substances
for living things 11
Metabolic Role of Carbohydrates
and Lipids
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Metabolic Role of Carbohydrates
and Lipids
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Learning check
What is the metabolic role of protein?
Enzymes are proteins.
Enzymes control the processes of photosynthesis
and respiration
Chlorophyll is a protein that traps the sun’s
energy during photosynthesis
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Metabolic Role of Vitamins
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Vitamin D
Chemical name: calciferol
Solubility: fat soluble
Function: needed to absorb calcium from
food. Calcium needed for healthy teeth and
bone formation and their maintenance
Source: Dairy products, fish liver oils, egg
yolk, made by skin in sunlight
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Learning check
For the vitamins C & D give the following
Vit C Vit D
The chemical name - Ascorbic acid Calciferol
Solubility - Water soluble Fat soluble
Function - Connective Absorb
tissue calcium
formation
Source in the diet - One source One source
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Vitamin deficiency disorders
Lack of Vitamin C causes
scurvy
Symptoms: soft bleeding gums, bad and loose
teeth
Lack of Vitamin D causes
rickets in young children
Symptoms: softening of the bones of the spinal
column and bowlegs
osteomalacia in adults
Symptoms: the bones lose calcium and become 22
weak – common in vegans
END
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