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Questions and Answers
What are organic molecules primarily composed of?
What are organic molecules primarily composed of?
Which of the following are considered macronutrients?
Which of the following are considered macronutrients?
What type of biological molecule serves as the building blocks of DNA?
What type of biological molecule serves as the building blocks of DNA?
Which of these is not classified as a carbohydrate?
Which of these is not classified as a carbohydrate?
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In the context of nutrition, which of the following statements is true?
In the context of nutrition, which of the following statements is true?
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What is the primary role of proteins in the body?
What is the primary role of proteins in the body?
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Identify an example of a lipid.
Identify an example of a lipid.
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Which of the following elements is not one of the 16 naturally occurring elements all living things need?
Which of the following elements is not one of the 16 naturally occurring elements all living things need?
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Study Notes
Biological Molecules
- Living organisms need about 25 elements for growth.
- Carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H) are the most common chemical elements in living organisms.
- Sugar, starch, fat, oil, wax, and proteins are called organic molecules as they are mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen.
Nutrients
- Nutrients can be organic or inorganic.
- Organic nutrients contain carbon and hydrogen. Examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and vitamins.
- Inorganic nutrients include minerals. Examples are calcium and iron.
Organic Compounds (Macronutrients)
- These are essential for life.
- Examples include carbohydrates as an energy source for metabolism, proteins for structural molecules in the body, lipids for storing unused chemical energy, and nucleic acids as building blocks of DNA.
- Dietary sources for each include carbohydrates from rice, grains, potatoes, and fruits; proteins from meat, eggs, dairy, and legumes; lipids from vegetable oil, nut oil, and some dairy products
Polymers and Monomers
- Many biological molecules are polymers, which are long chains of building blocks called monomers.
- Monomers are the individual units that make up the polymer chains.
Components of Biological Molecules
- Carbohydrates' monomer is monosaccharides (simple sugars). Examples of polymers include starch found in granules in chloroplasts and DNA(double helix) found in chromosomes.
- Nucleic acids' monomer is a nucleotide. Examples of polymers include DNA forming chromosomes, and others forming intermediate filaments.
- Proteins' monomer is an amino acid. An example of a polymer is polypeptide, forming intermediate filaments.
- Lipids' monomer is fatty acid. Examples of polymers include triglycerides, forming adipose cells.
Elements for Healthy Bodies
- Macrominerals are minerals needed in large amounts.
- Trace elements are minerals needed in small amounts.
- All living organisms need 16 naturally occurring elements.
- Plants require 18 elements.
- Humans require 22 elements.
Specific Minerals and their Roles
- Calcium: Needed for strong bones and teeth, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.
- Phosphorus: Needed for bone formation, and in compounds that store and release energy (ATP).
- Potassium: Helps regulate nerve signals, muscle activity (heart rate), protein formation, and regulates acid/base balance in the body.
- Magnesium: Component of bones and teeth, essential for enzyme function, and helps regulate nerve function.
- Sulphur: Used in some amino acids;
- Iron: Important in red blood cells and regulates oxygen transport.
- Iodine: Major component of thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism.
Obtaining Minerals
- Plants absorb minerals from soil and use them to build organic compounds like proteins, lipids, and vitamins.
- Humans rely on plants to provide these essential minerals.
Vitamins
- Vitamins are organic compounds essential for normal growth and nutrition.
- They are needed in small quantities.
- They cannot be synthesized by the body.
- Vitamins are divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.
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Description
Explore the essential biological molecules and nutrients that are crucial for life. This quiz covers the roles of organic and inorganic substances, including macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Test your knowledge on how these compounds contribute to the growth and metabolism of living organisms.
