Chapter 3 - Biological molecules

The most common molecules in living things:

- Water (BUT water is NOT a biological molecule)
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Nucleic acids

Elements that make up biological molecules:

C, H, O, N, S (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen)
● Carbohydrates contain 3 elements: C, H, O
● Lipids contain 3 elements: C, H, O
● Proteins contain 4 or 5 elements: C, H, O, N, S

● All biological molecules are huge. So, we call them Macromolecules.

● They are made of small molecules (same type or different types) joining together.
So, we call them Polymers.

Basic unit/monomer
Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are a type of molecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen.

Mono = 1
Di = 2
Poly = Many

Structure of carbohydrates
 ● Simplest carbohydrates comprise a single molecule and are called
monosaccharides.

● A disaccharide is formed when 2 monosaccharides join together by a covalent

bond.

● Polysaccharides are polymers composed of a larger number of

monosaccharides.

Functions of Carbohydrates
1. Glucose is the primary fuel in cells
2. Form the cell wall of:
Plants: Cellulose
Fungi: Chitin
Bacteria: Peptidoglycan

Glucose
- Glucose is the primary energy source of organisms
- Glucose is a Monosaccharide & Chemical formula C6H12O6
- YES, all 3 polysaccharides you learn are made of glucose molecules joining
together by covalent bonds

Glycogen is a branched molecule formed form alpha 1,4 and alpha 1,6-glycosidic
linkages of glucose monomers. Cellulose is a linear molecule formed from beta 1,4-
glycosidic linkages of glucose monomers.

Structure of glucose:
Food rich in carbohydrates:
- Bread
- Beans
- Milk
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Soft drinks

Protein
- Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more
long chains of amino acid residues

Functions of protein:
1. Digestion of food by ENZYMES
2. Transport of oxygen by HAEMOGLOBIN
3. Provide immunity by ANTIBODIES & ENZYMES
4. Form structures [Ex: Hair (keratin), muscles (actin)]
5. Energy store for developing embryo

Foods rich in protein:

 - Chicken
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Peanut butter

Lipids
- Lipids are a broad group of organic compounds which include fats, waxes,
sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides

Lipids (Fat and Oil)

Fat:
- Solid at room temperature
- From animal resources
Oil:
- Liquid at room temperature
- From plant resources

Structure of Lipids
Lipids are made of 2 parts:
1. Glycerol back bone
2. One or more hydrocarbon chains called fatty acids

Lipid molecule:

- Unlike carbohydrates, lipids have much less oxygen

Functions of Lipids
1. Fat deposits under the skin and around organs act as a long-term store of
energy
2. Cushion vital organs from mechanical damage (Ex: Brain, kidneys, heart, liver)
Foods rich in lipids:
- Canola
- Sunflower oil
- Olive
- Avocado

Tests to identify biological molecules (Food tests)

Test for glucose
Benedict’s test
1. Add a few drops of Benedict’s solution to the 5ml of sample solution
2. Heat the mixture in a water bath
3. The colour of the solution changes to ORANGE/BRICK RED if glucose is present

x
Safety measures:
1. Use goggles & gloves
2. Use a water bath

Test for starch

Iodine test
1. Add one or two drops of Iodine solution (yellow) to the sample (solution or a
solid)
2. Iodine turns to BLUE BLACK colour in the presence of starch.

Safety measures:
1. Use goggles & gloves
Test for protein
Biuret test
Method 1:
1. Add 1ml of Biurret reagent into 1ml of aqueous food sample
2. Mix well
Method 2:
1. Add 1 ml of dilute KOH/NaOH unto 1ml of aqueous food sample
2. Mix well
3. Add 1% of CuSO4

Observation:
- The colour of the solution changes to PURPLE if protein is present

Safety measures:
1. Use goggles & gloves

Test for lipids

Ethanol emulsion test
1. Add a few drops of the liquid food sample to a dry test tube
2. Add 2 cm3 of ethanol and shake it vigorously
3. Add the mixture into a test tube containing 3/4 of distilled water
Observation:
- A white cloudy emulsion is formed if lipids are present

Safety measures:
1. Use goggles & gloves

Food tests summary