Organic molecules

Organic molecules

1. Carbohydrates

   • major sources of energy and include sugars and starches
     • made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with a 2:1 ratio hydrogen to oxygen
       • plants and animals use carbohydrates for maintaining structure within the cells
   • Proteins
     • nitrogen-containing compounds made up of chains of amino acids
       • 20 amino acids can combine to form a great variety of protein molecules
         • can compose enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and structural components
     • Lipids
       • water insoluble (fats and oils)
         • made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; composed of glycerol and fatty acids
           • provide insulation, store energy, cushion internal organs, found in biological membranes saturated and unsaturated
       • Nucleic Acids
         • direct the instruction of proteins
           • genetic information an organism receives from its parents
             • two types: DNA and RNA