COMPOSITION,STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF BIOMOLECULES

 1.2 COMPOSITION,STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF BIOMOLECULES 

BULLET POINTS

• There are four major classes of biomolecules - Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleotides and Lipids.
• carbohydrates, or Saccharides, are the most abundant of the four. Carbohydrates have several roles in living organisms, including energy transportation, as well as being structural components of plants and arthropods.
• Carbohydrate derivatives are actively involved in fertilization, immune systems, and the development of diseases, blood clotting and development.
• Carbohydrates are called carbohydrates because the carbon, oxygen and hydrogen they contain are generally in proportion to form water with general formula Cn(H2O)n.
• Carbohydrates (saccharides)- Molecules consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 
• A major polymers, carbohydrates can function as long term food storage molecules, as protective membranes for organisms and cells, and as the main structural support for plants and constituents of many cells and their contents.
• Lipids (fats) - Molecules consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 
• The main constituents of all membranes in all cells (cell walls), food storage molecules, intermediaries in signalling pathways, vitamin A,D,E and K, cholestrol.
• Proteins - molecules contain nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They act as biological catalyst (enzymes), form structural parts of organisms, participate in cell signal and recognition factors, and act as molecules of immunity. proteins can also be a source of fuel.
• Nucleic Acids(Nucleotides) - DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid).These molecules are involved in genetic information, as well as forming structure within cells.
• They are involved in the storage of all heritage information of all organisms, as well as the conversion of this data into proteins. 

1.2.1 CARBOHYDRATES

    Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are the most important source of energy for your body. Your digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose( Blood Sugar). 

Your body uses this sugar for energy for your cells, tissues and organs. It stores any extra sugar in your liver and muscles for when it is needed.

Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on their chemical structure. Simple Carbohydrates include Sugars found naturally in foods such as Fruits, vegetables, Milk and Milk products.

They also include Sugars added during food processing and refining. Complex Carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, Starchy vegetables and Legumes.

Many of the complex Carbohydrates are good sources of Fibre. For a Healthier Diet, limit the amount of added Sugar that you eat and choose whole grains over refined grains.

The Term is Most common in Biochemistry, it is called Saccharide. The Carbohydrates (Saccharides) are divided into four chemical grouping:

1. Monosaccharide

2. Disaccharide

3. Oligosaccharide

4. Polysaccharide

In general, the Monosaccharides and disaccharides,  which are smaller ( lower molecular weight). Carbohydrates, are commonly reffered to as sugars. while the scientific nomenclature of carbohydrates is complex, the names of the monosaccharides and disaccharides very often end in the suffix-ose. For example, grape sugar is the monosaccharide glucose, cane sugar is the dissacharide sucrose, and milk sugar is the disaccharide lactose.