Food and Biomolecules

Main elements found in organisms (organic biomolecules)

What elements make up all organic molecules eg. Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

What elements make up proteins

Nitrogen (makes all proteins), Phosphorus (makes ATP), Sulfur (makes some proteins)

Elements found in dissolved salts (inorganic biomolecules)

Chlorine, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium

Carbohydrates role - structural

Polysaccharide forms cellulose in a plant cell wall

Carbohydrates role

Lipids are fats and oils….

Fats are solid at room temperature

Oils are liquid at room temperature

Lipids contains

A glycerol and 3 fatty acids (triglyceride)

Phospholipids contain

A glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phospahte

Lipid role - structural

Storage of energy, insulation (fat under skin), myelin on the nerves

Lipid role - metabolic

Release energy

Cell membranes contain.…

A phospholipid bilayer with protein molecules embedded

Protein role - structural

Found as keratin (in hair, skin, nails) and myosin in muscles

Protein role - metabolic

Found in enzymes (which controls chemical reactions in cells), hormones (which regulate body functions), pigments (like chlorophyll and haemoglobin)

Vitamin C

Is water soluble, forms connective tissue, found in fruits and veg, prevents scurvy (gums bleeding)

Vitamin D

Is fat soluble, helps calcium absorption, found in egg yokes/oily fish , prevents rickets (weak bones)

Minerals are….

Inorganic materials plants and animals need in small amounts

Minerals - plants

Magnesium, found as salts in soil, forms the chlorophyll

Calcium, found as salts in soil, forms the middle lamella

Minerals - animals

Iron, found in red meat, liver, green veg, forms haemoglobin

Calcium, found in cheese and milk, forms healthy bones and teeth