Biological Molecules 2: Carbohydrates and Lipids
Biological Molecules 2: Carbohydrates and Lipids
Biological Molecules 2: Carbohydrates and Lipids
MOLECULES 2
CARBOHYDRATES
AND LIPIDS
Learning Outcomes
1. Categorize the following
biological molecules as to their
structure and function
A. Carbohydrates
B. Lipids
C. Proteins
D. Nucleic acids
2. Explain the role of each
biological molecule in specific
metabolic processes
CARBOHYDRATES
These are compounds
composed of CARBON,
HYDROGEN and OXYGEN.
These are the primary products
of photosynthesis by green
plants.
They are sources of energy for
the activities of the cell.
CARBOHYDRATES
Can be classified into:
1. Monosaccharide,
2. Disaccharide, and
3. Polysaccharide.
MONOSACCHARIDE
the smallest carbohydrates or
SIMPLE SUGARS.
combination of
glucose and
galactose.
Naturally found in
dairy products
Used as a filler in
white tablets
DISACCHARIDE
POLYSACCHARIDE
Complex sugars
formed by combination of
many monosaccharide
molecules.
insoluble in water because
they have large molecular size.
do not taste sweet and do not
crystallize.
POLYSACCHARIDE
STARCH
made of hundreds or
even thousands of
glucose molecules
linked together.
Plants make starch
as a way of storing
sugar molecules.
Seeds, such as rice,
corn and wheat
contain starch
POLYSACCHARIDE
GLYCOGEN
the stored
glucose in
animals.
Stored in liver
cells and skeletal
muscle cells.
Broken down
into glucose in
strenuous
POLYSACCHARIDE
CELLULOSE
most abundant of
all organic
molecules on
Earth.
structural
components of the
cell wall of plant
cells.
POLYSACCHARIDE
important in
human diet
because it
serves as
dietary fiber
which
maintains
regular
elimination of
waste.
POLYSACCHARIDE
Chitin
found in the
exoskeleton of
crabs,
lobsters,
insects, and
cell walls of
fungi
It is not
digestible by
POLYSACCHARIDE
Chitin
processed as
wound dressing
and suture
material.
also useful in
the production
of cosmetics and
various foods.
Functions of
Carbohydrates:
chief energy source of the body
Serve as the backbone for other
molecules such as the nucleic acids
combine with proteins to form the
structural component of the
living cell, such as glycoproteins
and proteoglycans.
also supplies carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen for the biosynthesis of
other inorganic compounds.
LIPIDS
elements in
lipids include
Carbon,
Hydrogen and
Oxygen
Other elements
may also be
present such as
Phosphorus and
Nitrogen.
LIPIDS
similar to
carbohydrates ,
except that it
contains a
smaller
proportion of
oxygen.
insoluble in water
because of their
long hydrocarbon
chains.
FATS and OILS
the most
familiar
lipids.
contain two
subunit
molecules, the
fatty acids
and
glycerol.
FATS and OILS
c. POLYUNSATURATED
FATTY ACIDS
• Have more than one
double bond between
the carbon atoms.
• E.g. Corn, canola, olive
and certain fish oil are
healthy oils because
they have been found
to protect against
ATHEROSCLEROSIS.
LIPIDS: FATS and OILS
d. TRANS FATS
Contain fatty acids
that have been
partially hydrogenated
to make them more
saturated and more
solid.
These are often found
in processed foods
such as margarine,
baked goods and fried
foods.
LIPIDS: FATS and OILS
important component
of an animal cell’s
plasma membrane
because it maintain
its fluidity, thereby
aiding the flow of
materials in and out
of cells.
It is also involved in
the formation of
bile salts and
Vitamin D.
Sex Hormones
TESTOSTERONE
(male) and
PROGESTERONE
(female) play
roles in the
development of
sexuality in
humans and other
animals.
These hormones
are produced in
the testes and
Some people
take synthetic
testosterone to
increase their
muscle mass.
This however
disrupts the
normal
hormonal
balance
resulting in
harmful effects.
3. TERPENES
long chain lipids
which are
components of
many biologically
important
pigments such as
CHLOROPHYLL and
the visual retinal
pigment.
Rubber and aroma
oil from plant
extracts are also
Examples of terpenes
Terpenes and their
benefits
4. WAXES
found in
cuticles of the
epidermis of
leaves, fruits
and seeds.
prevent the
entry and
evaporation of
water.
5. PROSTAGLANDINS
Act as local
chemical
messengers in
many
vertebrate
tissues.
Functions of Lipids
1. Contribute to the structure of the
membranes by the formation of the
lipid bilayer in phospholipids.
2. A long-term storage and source of
energy, 9 calories per gram
(contain more energy per gram
than carbohydrates)
3. Maintain body temperature.
Provide thermal insulation around
body organs and under the skin.
Functions of Lipids
4. Provide some protection
against traumatic injury or shock
such as the kidneys.
5. Supply the body with fat-
soluble vitamins
6. Provide flavor and palatability
in food.
7. Electrical insulation of nerves
8. Waterproofing and bouyancy
Next topic: proteins and
nucleic acids