Biomolecules
Unit X. Covers Carbohydrates; Amino acids and proteins; Enzymes; Vitamins; Nucleic acids; Hormones.
About this unit
Living organisms are built from and run by complex organic molecules called biomolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, nucleic acids, lipids and hormones. This unit explains their structures and roles in simple chemical terms, connecting organic chemistry with biology, nutrition and health.
Key ideas
- Classification of carbohydrates; open-chain and cyclic structures of glucose and fructose; D and L configuration.
- Disaccharides (sucrose, maltose, lactose) and polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen).
- Amino acids, the peptide bond and the four levels of protein structure; denaturation.
- Enzymes as biological catalysts and how they work.
- Vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble, sources and deficiency diseases.
- DNA and RNA: composition, double helix and biological functions.
- Hormones: chemical types and important examples.
How to prepare
- Learn the evidence for the open-chain and cyclic structures of glucose; these reactions are frequently asked.
- Memorise the linkages in disaccharides and polysaccharides and which sugars are reducing.
- Prepare a vitamin chart (name, solubility, source, deficiency disease) and a list of differences between DNA and RNA.
Topics in this chapter
Carbohydrates
Classification; glucose and fructose; D and L configuration; sucrose, maltose, lactose, starch, cellulose and glycogen.
5 questionsAmino acids and proteins
Amino acids, structure of proteins and denaturation.
5 questionsEnzymes
Enzymes and the mechanism of enzyme action.
5 questionsVitamins
Types, sources and deficiency diseases.
5 questionsNucleic acids
Types, composition, structure and importance of DNA and RNA.
5 questionsHormones
Classification and biological importance.
5 questions