Biological molecules

Metabolism

The sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body

Metabolism includes

The synthesis of new molecules, the breakdown of existing molecules and the process of respiration

Conversion of glucose to complex carbohydrates

Glucose can be converted into starch, glycogen and cellulose

Formation of lipid molecules

One molecule of glycerol joins with three fatty acids

Protein synthesis

Amino acids join together in specific arrangements to form proteins

Digestion

Requires energy from respiration to break down large insoluble molecules into smaller soluble molecules

Carbohydrates

Provide energy for chemical reactions and can break down into sugars

Simple sugars (carbohydrates)

The monomers of complex carbohydrates

Carbohydrate examples as simple sugars examples

Sugars, glucose and lactose that are sources of energy

Complex carbohydrate examples

Cellulose, starch and glycogen that are referred to as storage molecules

Proteins

The building blocks of cells and tissues that can break down into amino acids, structural and functional molecules in cells

Amino acids

The monomers that make up proteins

Lipids

An energy store of fats and oils that can break down into glycerol and fatty acids, also referred to as storage molecules

Glycerol and fatty acids

The monomers that make up lipids

Monomer

A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers, such as glucose which can be used to make up a complex carbohydrate called glycogen

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together, such as glycogen which is made up of many glucose molecules