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Biological Molecules IGCSE Reading Material

The document provides an overview of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, detailing their structures, functions, and significance in living organisms. It also discusses DNA as the genetic blueprint of life, its structure, and the importance of base pairing. Additionally, the document includes tests for identifying biological molecules and concludes with a pre-assessment to check understanding of the unit.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
15 views6 pages

Biological Molecules IGCSE Reading Material

The document provides an overview of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, detailing their structures, functions, and significance in living organisms. It also discusses DNA as the genetic blueprint of life, its structure, and the importance of base pairing. Additionally, the document includes tests for identifying biological molecules and concludes with a pre-assessment to check understanding of the unit.

Uploaded by

SA1234
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‭Name:‬ ‭Grade: IG1 _______‬ ‭Roll No.

: _______‬ ‭2024-25‬
‭Subject: Biology Unit 4‬ ‭Date: ______________‬ ‭Teacher’s sign:‬

‭ nit 4 Reading Material‬


U ‭Biological‬‭Molecules‬
‭Biological molecules, also known as biomolecules, are essential components of all living organisms. They play crucial‬
‭roles in the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. The primary types of biological molecules include‬
‭carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each of these molecules has unique properties and functions that are vital for life.‬

‭Carbohydrates‬

‭ arbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically with a hydrogen to‬
C
‭oxygen atom ratio of 2:1, as in water. They are one of the most important sources of energy for living organisms.‬
‭Carbohydrates can be classified into three main types: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.‬

‭ onosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and include glucose, fructose, and galactose. These simple‬
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‭sugars are the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates. Glucose, in particular, is a crucial energy source for‬
‭cells and is involved in cellular respiration, where it is broken down to release energy.‬

‭ isaccharides consist of two monosaccharide molecules linked together. Common examples include sucrose (table‬
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‭sugar), which is composed of glucose and fructose, and lactose (milk sugar), which is made up of glucose and‬
‭galactose. These sugars are broken down into their monosaccharide components during digestion.‬

‭ olysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units. They serve various functions, such as energy storage and‬
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‭structural support. Starch and glycogen are polysaccharides that store energy in plants and animals, respectively.‬
‭Cellulose, another polysaccharide, provides structural support in plant cell walls.‬
‭Proteins‬

‭ roteins are complex molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, but they also contain nitrogen (N) and‬
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‭many have sulfur (S). Proteins are composed of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. There are 20 different‬
‭amino acids that can combine in various sequences to form a vast array of proteins, each with unique functions.‬
‭Proteins are essential for numerous biological processes, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication,‬
‭and transporting molecules.‬

T‭ he structure of proteins is organized into four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. The primary‬
‭structure is the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. The secondary structure refers to the local folding of‬
‭the polypeptide chain. The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain,‬
‭while the quaternary structure involves the arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains into a functional protein‬
‭complex.‬

E‭ nzymes are a specific type of protein that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in the body‬
‭without being consumed in the process. Hemoglobin, another protein, is responsible for transporting oxygen in the‬
‭blood. Antibodies, which are also proteins, play a crucial role in the immune system by identifying and neutralizing‬
‭foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.‬

‭Fats‬

F‭ ats, also known as lipids, are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules that include‬
‭triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids. They are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen,‬
‭and oxygen, but in different proportions compared to carbohydrates. There are different types‬
‭of fatty acid and these can form different fats with different properties. Fats are used for‬
‭energy storage and thermal insulation in the body. Some fats, such as Phospholipids and‬
‭Steroids are a key component of cell membranes.‬

T‭ riglycerides are the most common type of fat and are composed of one glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid‬
‭chains. They serve as a major energy storage form in animals, providing more than twice the energy per gram‬
‭compared to carbohydrates and proteins. Triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue and can be broken down into fatty‬
‭acids and glycerol when energy is needed.‬

I‭n conclusion, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are fundamental biological molecules that perform a wide range of‬
‭functions necessary for life. Understanding their structures and roles helps us appreciate the complexity and‬
‭efficiency of biological systems. These molecules not only provide energy and structural support but also facilitate‬
‭communication and regulation within and between cells, ensuring the proper functioning of living organisms.‬
‭Test of Biological molecules - starch, protein, reducing sugar, fat, vitamin C‬‭Video Link‬

T‭ esting for biological molecules is an essential part of understanding the composition of various‬
‭substances, especially in food and biological samples. Here, we will explore the tests for starch,‬
‭protein, reducing sugar, fat, and vitamin C. Each test involves specific reagents and procedures‬
‭that help identify the presence of these molecules.‬

‭Conclusion‬

T‭ hese tests are simple yet effective ways to identify the‬


‭presence of key biological molecules in various samples.‬
‭Understanding these tests can help students and‬
‭researchers analyze the nutritional content of foods and‬
‭the biochemical composition of biological samples. By‬
‭following the procedures carefully, one can obtain‬
‭reliable results that contribute to a deeper‬
‭understanding of the molecular makeup of substances.‬
‭ NA: The Blueprint of Life‬
D
‭Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‬‭is a molecule that‬
‭carries the genetic instructions for the development,‬
‭functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known‬
‭organisms and many viruses. Think of it as the‬
‭blueprint that dictates everything about an organism,‬
‭from its eye color to its susceptibility to certain‬
‭diseases.‬
‭Structure of DNA‬
‭DNA is a long molecule made up of smaller units‬
‭called‬‭nucleotides‬‭. Each nucleotide contains:‬
‭●‬‭A‬‭sugar‬‭molecule (deoxyribose)‬
‭●‬‭A‬‭phosphate‬‭group‬
‭●‬‭A‬‭nitrogenous base‬
‭There are four types of nitrogenous bases in DNA:‬
‭●‬ ‭Adenine (A)‬
‭●‬ ‭Guanine (G)‬
‭●‬ ‭Cytosine (C)‬
‭●‬ ‭Thymine (T)‬
‭These nucleotides link together to form two long‬
‭strands that wind around each other in a double helix‬
‭shape, like a twisted ladder. The sugar and phosphate‬
‭groups form the "backbone" of the ladder, while the nitrogenous bases form the "rungs".‬

‭ ase Pairing‬
B
‭The nitrogenous bases in DNA pair up in a specific way:‬
‭●‬ ‭Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T)‬
‭●‬ ‭Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C)‬
‭This is called‬‭complementary base pairing‬‭. The order‬‭of these base pairs along the DNA molecule is what carries the‬
‭genetic information.‬

T‭ he Importance of DNA‬
‭DNA is crucial for life because it:‬
‭●‬ ‭Carries genetic information:‬‭The sequence of base‬‭pairs in DNA determines the genetic traits of an organism.‬
‭●‬ ‭Replicates itself:‬‭DNA can make copies of itself,‬‭ensuring that genetic information is passed on during cell‬
‭division.‬
‭●‬ ‭Directs protein synthesis:‬‭The information in DNA‬‭is used to create proteins, which carry out various‬
‭functions in the body.‬

‭Diagram of Base Pairing‬


F‭ lip works Graphic Organisers: ALL answers are to be written in the Biology Notebook ONLY.‬
‭Mission 1A (1)‬
‭Complete the table:‬
‭Biological‬ ‭Elements‬ ‭Examples‬ ‭Function in plants and‬
‭molecule‬ ‭1‬ ‭2‬ ‭3‬ ‭4‬ ‭5‬ ‭animals‬
F‭ at‬
‭Carbohydrate‬
‭Protein‬

‭ ission 1A (2a)‬
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‭Make a flowchart for the types of Carbohydrates:‬

‭ ission 1A (2b)‬
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‭Smaller molecules make larger molecules. Fill the table with the missing words‬
‭Smaller molecule‬ ‭Larger molecule‬ ‭Function of the larger molecule in Plants or Animals as applicable‬
‭ lucose‬
G
‭Glucose‬
‭Glucose‬
L‭ actose‬
‭Fructose‬
‭Maltose‬
‭Sucrose‬
‭Protein‬
‭Lipid‬

‭ ission 1A (2c)‬
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‭Bonds hold molecules together.‬
‭Make an organised list of the various types of bonds found in carbohydrates, fats and proteins.‬

‭ ission 1A (2d)‬
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‭“Proteins are truly complex”. Justify this statement by taking points from the given reading material. Highlight the‬
‭words that are unique to proteins.‬

‭ ission 1B: Test for Biomolecules‬


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‭Complete the table below:‬
‭Biomolecule‬ ‭Reagent (Name‬ ‭Special step (if any)‬ ‭+ result‬ ‭- result‬ ‭ recaution while performing‬
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‭and colour)‬ ‭this test‬

‭Draw:‬
‭ utline structure of‬
O ‭ utline structure of‬
O ‭ utline structure of‬ O
O ‭ utline structure of‬ O
‭ utline structure of a‬
‭a glucose molecule‬ ‭a fructose molecule‬ ‭a maltose molecule‬ ‭a sucrose molecule‬ ‭lactose molecule‬

‭ utline structure of‬


O ‭ utline structure of‬
O ‭ utline structure of‬ O
O ‭ utline structure of‬ O
‭ utline structure of a‬
‭an amino acid‬ ‭a polypeptide chain‬ ‭a protein molecule‬ ‭a lipid molecule‬ ‭nucleotide molecule‬

‭ utline structure of‬


O ‭ utline structure of‬
O ‭ utline structure of‬
O
‭cellulose‬ ‭starch‬ ‭glycogen‬
‭ ission 1C - Structure of DNA‬
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‭Complete the given Graphic organiser by using words and illustrations to help you understand better.‬

‭ re Assessment: Check your understanding of the unit.‬


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‭1. Which of the following is NOT a function of lipids?‬
‭a) Energy storage b) Insulation c) Structural component of cell membranes‬ ‭d) Catalyzing biochemical reactions‬

‭ . A molecule is composed of a long chain of amino acids. This molecule is most likely a:‬
2
‭a) Carbohydrate‬ ‭b) Lipid‬ ‭c) Protein‬ ‭d) Nucleic acid‬

‭ . Which element is found in all biological molecules, but is NOT a major component of carbohydrates and lipids?‬
3
‭a) Carbon‬ ‭b) Hydrogen‬ ‭c) Oxygen‬ ‭d) Nitrogen‬

‭ . The primary structure of a protein refers to:‬


4
‭a) The overall 3D shape of the protein‬ ‭ ) The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain‬
b
‭c) The interactions between different polypeptide chains d) The folding of the polypeptide chain‬

‭ . Glycogen is a polysaccharide used for energy storage in animals. Which of the following best describes its‬
5
‭structure?‬
‭a) A long, branched chain of glucose molecules‬ ‭b) A long, unbranched chain of glucose molecules‬
‭c) A chain of glucose molecules linked to glycerol‬ ‭d) A chain of amino acids with glucose side chains‬

‭ . Which of the following statements about enzymes is INCORRECT?‬


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‭a) They are biological catalysts.‬ ‭b) They are proteins.‬
‭c) They are consumed in the reactions they catalyze.‬ ‭d) They have specific active sites.‬

‭ . The "lock and key" model describes:‬


7
‭a) DNA replication‬ ‭b) Enzyme action‬ ‭c) Protein synthesis‬ ‭d) Lipid digestion‬

‭ . Which of the following is a monomer of a carbohydrate?‬


8
‭a) Amino acid‬ ‭b) Fatty acid‬ ‭c) Nucleotide‬ ‭d) Monosaccharide‬

‭ . Which type of bond links amino acids together in a protein?‬


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‭a) Hydrogen bond‬ ‭b) Ionic bond‬ ‭c) Peptide bond‬ ‭d) Glycosidic bond‬

‭ 0. A student tests a food sample with iodine solution and observes a blue-black color change. This indicates the‬
1
‭presence of:‬
‭a) Glucose‬ ‭b) Starch‬ ‭c) Protein‬ ‭d) Lipid‬

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