Biological Molecules

Module 2 about proteins, water, carbs, lipids ect

What elements do each molecule contain

Carbs- Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen

Lipids- Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen

Proteins- Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur

Nucleic acids- Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Cation and short description of roles

• Ca²⁺ (Calcium): Muscle contraction; nerve impulse transmission

• Na⁺ (Sodium): Co-transport; water reabsorption in kidneys; regulation of water potential; nerve impulse transmission

• K⁺ (Potassium): Stomatal opening; nerve impulse transmission

• H⁺ (Hydrogen): Chemiosmosis; pH regulation; translocation

• NH₄⁺ (Ammonium): Nitrogen cycle; converted by bacteria into nitrate ions

Anion short description and roles

• NO₃⁻ (Nitrate): Nitrogen source for amino acid synthesis in plants

• HCO₃⁻ (Hydrogencarbonate): Transport of carbon dioxide in blood

• Cl⁻ (Chloride): Chloride shift; transport of carbon dioxide in blood

• PO₄³⁻ (Phosphate): Formation of phospholipids, nucleic acids, and ATP

• OH⁻ (Hydroxide): Catalysis of reactions; pH regulation

Why is water a polar molecule?

Water has an uneven distribution of charge, with oxygen being slightly negative (δ−) and hydrogens slightly positive (δ+).

Why are hydrogen bonds important?

Although individual hydrogen bonds are weak, many together provide strength and give water its unique properties.