Biomolecules and Lipids in Living Organisms

Here is a summary of the text in detailed bullet points:

• Organisms are composed of cells, and these cells are made up of simple elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

• These elements come from the food we eat, and they are essential for body functions.

• Biomolecules are any organic molecule present in a living cell that is essential for body functions and can be manufactured within the body itself.

• Biomolecules are polymers made from monomers, similar to how walls are composed of hollow blocks.

• There are four types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

• Carbohydrates are essential nutrients that include sugars, fibers, and starches, and are the main sources of energy for the body.

• Carbohydrates have the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and their monomers are monosaccharides, while their polymers are polysaccharides.

• The functions of carbohydrates include short-term energy storage and providing structure.

• Simple carbohydrates have one or two sugar molecules, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.

• Complex carbohydrates, also known as polysaccharides, include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

• Lipids are a family of organic compounds composed of fats and oils, necessary to maintain cell membranes and provide energy.

• Lipids have the same components as carbohydrates but have a different molecular structure, making them harder to break down.

• Lipids are composed of glycerol and fatty acids, and their monomers are glycerol and fatty acids, while their polymers are triglycerides.

• The functions of lipids include long-term energy storage, forming cell membranes, and providing insulation and waterproofing.

• Simple lipids are esters of fatty acids with various alcohols, including fats and oils, and waxes.

• Complex lipids are esters of fatty acids containing groups in addition to alcohol and fatty acid, including phospholipids, glycolipids, and lipoproteins.

• Fatty acids are carboxylic acids with aliphatic tails, and can be saturated or unsaturated, depending on the presence of double bonds.

• Saturated fatty acids have single bonds, are solid at room temperature, and are usually from animal sources.

• Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds, are liquid at room temperature, and are usually from plant sources.

• Steroids are a type of lipid that includes cholesterol, which is essential for the structural component of the cell membrane and the basis of synthesis of other steroids.

• Olive oil is 100% fat, but is considered healthy due to its composition of unsaturated fatty acids.

• The type of fat consumed is more important than the amount of fat consumed in terms of impact on weight, cholesterol, and risk of heart disease.- Cis and trans configurations of molecules refer to their 3D shape, which affects how they interact with the body.

• Trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated fats, are created by partially hydrogenating unsaturated fats and are unhealthy due to their shape, being worse for health than saturated fats.
• Foods containing trans fats can be identified by the presence of "partially hydrogenated" in the ingredients list, as nutrition labels and advertising may be misleading.
• The FDA allows manufacturers to claim "zero grams of trans fat" if a product contains up to half a gram per serving, making it essential to check the ingredients list.
• Olive oil is 100% fat, mostly unsaturated, and contains no trans fats, making it a healthy option.
• Pancake mix, on the other hand, contains over 50% saturated or trans fats, making it an unhealthy option despite having less fat overall than olive oil.
• The health impact of a fat depends on its molecular shape, not just its quantity, and understanding the type of fat is crucial for making healthy choices.