Organic and Inorganic Molecules

Define nutrients.

Any substance in food that provides energy essential for growth or assists in functioning of the body.

Define organic molecules.

Molecules that have a carbon chain.

Define carbohydrates.

An organic molecule that is mainly used as an energy source for cellular respiration and excess carbohydrates are converted into glycogen. Made from carbon, oxygen and/or hydrogen.

Give examples of monosaccharides.

Glucose, fructose, galactose.

Give examples of disaccharides.

Lactose, sucrose, maltose.

Give examples of polysaccharides.

Glycogen, cellulose, starch.

Define lipids.

An organic molecule that is mainly used to store energy and is made up of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. The most common form of lipid is triglyceride which is made up of one glycerol and three fatty acid molecules.

Define proteins.

An organic molecule that is used structurally as collagen or metabolically as enzymes. Made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. Often phosphorus and sulfur are included.

What are dipeptides?

Two amino acids bonded together by a peptide bond.

What are polypeptides?

A chain of more than 10 amino acids bonded together by a peptide bond.

Define organic molecules.

Organic molecules containing nucleotides forming a chain.

What is RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)?

Single strand of nucleotides containing a sugar ribose. Molecules carry information from DNA in the nucleus to ribosome for protein production.

What is DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)?

Two strands of nucleotides which are organised into a ladder of alternating sugar and phosphate groups. Containing a sugar deoxyribose. Found in the nucleus stores genetic material which is inherited.

What are nucleotides?

Basic units of DNA molecule. Composed of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

Define inorganic molecules.

Molecules that do not contain a carbon chain.

Define water.

An inorganic substance which is used as solvent. Some chemical reactions occur in it, while others water takes part in.

Define mineral.

An inorganic substance that may be apart of enzymes, may function as cofactors for enzymes or may be a part of substances such as adenosine triphosphate.

Define vitamin.

An inorganic substance that act as coenzymes for many chemical reactions of metabolism.