biological molecules

what are biological molecules

molecules found in living organisms and produced by cells

what are nutrients

substances needed for growth, repair, and metabolism

what are carbohydrates

molecules made from atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

more detail on carbohydrates

Smallest carbs are simple sugars (glucose, fructose) called ‘monomers’. Carb monomers can join together to form carbohydrate polymers (glycogen and starch). Complex carbohydrates have chemical bonds between monomers which can be broken, if they are broken the complex carbohydrate can be broken down into simple carbohydrates (starch can be broken down into glucose).

where is the break down of complex carbs into simple carbs carried out?

in the mouth and small intestine by enzymes

what are proteins

a protein is a polymer

what are amino acids

amino acids are monomers

how are proteins made?

made up of a long chain of amino acids bonded together

what are amino acids made from

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

where are proteins broken down?

proteins are broken down into amino acids by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine

what are lipids

fats and oils (fat is solid at room temp, oils are liquid)

what do lipids contain? (structure)

single glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid molecules.

what determines whether a lipid is a fat or an oil

fatty acid molecules are often different lengths and it’s the length and structure of the fatty acid molecules that determine whether the lipid is a fat or an oil

where are lipids broken down

in the small intestine