Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Biological Molecules
Biological Molecules
Biological Molecules
Biological molecules
• Carbohydrates
▪ Definition
They are compounds in which each molecule is formed of
oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon atoms.
Carbohydrates include starch, glucose, cellulose, and
glycogen.
▪ Characteristics of carbohydrates
The simplest and the smallest type of carbohydrate is
glucose.
Glucose is one of the sweet sugars.
Glucose is soluble in water, while other molecules such as
cellulose, glycogen, and starch are insoluble.
Carbohydrates are dissolved in the blood and transported
in the body in form of glucose due to their solubility.
▪ Functions of carbohydrates
1. Storage in humans
When blood glucose level increases, glucose molecules
will be linked together forming glycogen.
Glucose will be stored in the liver in form of glycogen
Glycogen can break down into glucose again to provide
glucose when there is a decrease in the blood glucose
level.
2. Storage in plants
Glucose molecules can be linked in another way to be
stored in the plants in form of starch.
Starch can be broken down into glucose when there is a
need for glucose.
3. Formation of cell walls in plants
The cell wall is made of cellulose.
Cellulose is formed by linking the glucose
molecules in a chain.
+20 122 377 2208 │ +20 109 806 8087 Facebook: Naggar Biology Team
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmed Yasser │ +20 106 913 7970
• Lipids
▪ Definition
They are formed of three fatty acids and glycerol and each molecule
is formed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms.
▪ Characteristics of lipids
Lipids are insoluble in water, but they are soluble in ethanol
Fats: lipids that are solid at room temperature.
Oils: lipids that are liquid at room temperature.
They have fewer oxygen atoms compared to carbohydrates.
▪ Function of lipids
They form part of the cell membrane.
They are stored underneath the skin for heat insulation.
They also act as an energy store.
• Proteins
▪ Definition
A substance whose molecules are made of many amino acids.
▪ Characteristics of proteins
Each molecule is formed of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and
nitrogen.
There are 20 different kinds of amino acids.
Each protein molecule has a different amino acid sequence.
▪ Functions of proteins
1. Protein shares in the formation of biological molecules such as
enzymes, hemoglobin, and antibodies.
Hemoglobin in the RBCs carries the oxygen to be
transported throughout the body.
Antibodies fight pathogens.
2. Keratin will form the hair and fingernails.
• DNA molecule (deoxyribonucleic acid)
▪ Definition
It is a molecule formed of two strands that will be twisted around
each other to give a double helix shape.
It is the material that makes our genes and chromosomes
▪ Characteristics of DNA
DNA is made up of nucleotides.
DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell.
+20 122 377 2208 │ +20 109 806 8087 Facebook: Naggar Biology Team
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmed Yasser │ +20 106 913 7970
1. Starch
Add iodine solution
+ve result: color changes from brown to
blue-black.
-ve result: color remains orange-brown.
2. Reducing sugar
Add Benedict's solution with heating.
+ve result: color changes from blue to
green>yellow>orange>red.
-ve result: color remains blue
3. Vitamin C
Add DCPIP solution.
+ve result: color changes from Purple to
colorless.
-ve result: color remains purple.
4. Lipids
Carry out the ethanol emulsion test by adding
ethanol with some distilled water.
+ve result: milky appearance
+20 122 377 2208 │ +20 109 806 8087 Facebook: Naggar Biology Team
Prepared by: Mr. Ahmed Yasser │ +20 106 913 7970
+20 122 377 2208 │ +20 109 806 8087 Facebook: Naggar Biology Team