Biological Molecules and the Chemistry of Life

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Molecules and Cells strand of Biology and natural sciences. It follows the building blocks of living things: sugars, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, water and the energy molecule ATP. Most of the material is made for secondary-level courses, including A-level, GCSE, IB and AP Biology.

Where to start

Begin with carbohydrates. The Carbohydrates mind map covers monomers and polymers, glucose, galactose and fructose, alpha and beta glucose as isomers, and the test for reducing sugars. Then move to the Polysaccharides map, which explains starch as the main energy store in plants. Flowcharts comparing cellulose, starch and glycogen help you set the three side by side.

Then lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

1. The 1.5 Lipids mind map separates triglycerides from phospholipids.
2. The Proteins and Enzymes maps lead into the flashcards on enzymes, which cover their roles in cells and their general features, such as being mostly globular proteins.
3. The Nucleic Acids maps break a nucleotide into a pentose sugar, a phosphate group and an organic base, and compare DNA with RNA.

Water, ATP and practical work

The AP Biology Mind Map: Water and Life explains polar covalent bonds in water molecules. Other maps and notes cover ADP and ATP, inorganic ions and food tests for starch, reducing sugars, protein and lipids.

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then close it and take a quiz on the same topic, such as Starch, Cellulose and Glycogen Quiz or Amino Acids and Proteins. Note what you missed and go back to that branch of the map. Flashcards are handy for vocabulary and exam-style questions. Teachers can pick ready-made quizzes and slides for a lesson or for homework. Choose one topic today and give its quiz a go.