Biological Molecules

Large molecules Biological molecules are large molecules that are made up from smaller basic units.

You need to know about 3 types: Carbohydrates Proteins Lipids

C6H12O6 Carbohydrates Made from the elements: Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen For example, the formula for glucose is: C6H12O6

Glucose

Starch is made from lots of sugar Many glucose molecules are joined to form starch:

Glycogen is also made from simple sugars Many glucose molecules are joined to form glycogen:

Test for simple sugars Benedict’s test

Test for starch Using iodine

Proteins “CHONS” Proteins contain the elements: Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen Sulphur (small amounts) “CHONS”

Proteins are long chains of amino acids There are twenty different kinds of amino acids, they join in long chains to form proteins.

Lipids Lipids are also called fats or oils. They contain the same elements as carbohydrates: Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen

Lipids are made of four molecules One is called glycerol: Attached to glycerol are three fatty acids:

Making up a lipid molecule