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Dissacharides
Disaccharides are made of two monosaccharides that are joined
together. Common disaccharides are:
Maltose: glucose + glucose.
Sucrose: glucose + fructose.
Lactose: glucose + galactose. (present in milk)
1 Sucrose Molecule
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are the carbohydrate type that is insoluble in water. (Some
are slightly soluble.) They are made of many monosaccharides that are linked
together. They have thousands of repeating units. Examples of
polysaccharides are:
Starch: This is a plant glucose reserve. Examples of food with starch food
reserve are rice and potatoes. Starch is easily broken down (digested) because
the molecules are arranged in a line.
Cellulose: This is found in plant cells walls and fibre in our diet. Common forms
are paper and cotton. These molecules are in a line but also have strong cross
walls. Because it is difficult to digest it is a good source of fibre in our diets.
Because it is so strong it is a very good protection in the cell walls of plants.
Glycogen: This is glucose reserve of animals and fungi. Glycogen is stored in
the muscles and liver.
Starch
Glycogen
Cellulose
All proteins contain the elements C, H, O and N. Some proteins also contain P
and/or S. There is no set ratio of atoms in proteins. They contain many atoms
and are very large and complex. They contain many combinations of smaller
units called amino acids. There are 20 common amino acids. Two Amino Acids
bond to form a DIPEPTIDE. Two Amino Acids form a Covalent Bond, called
a PEPTIDE BOND. All 20 amino acids can bond to each other one at a time,
forming a long chain called a POLLYPEPTIDE. Proteins are composed of one or
more polypeptides. Some proteins are very large molecules, containing
hundreds of amino acids.
All proteins contain the following:
a -COOH, which is a carboxyl group (acidic).
a -NH2, which is an amine group (basic).
an -H hydrogen.
a residue R which varies depending on the amino acid.
All 20 different amino acids have this same
structure, but their side chain groups (the R
group) may vary in size, shape, charge, and
reactivity. The amino acids could be considered
as the alphabet in which the proteins are
written. The different combinations of the
alphabet determine the type of protein which is
made.
Along with the R group variation, proteins
also differ by their shape. Fibrous proteins form
long fibres and have little folding to make large 3 dimensional shapes.Globular
proteins have many foldings and are, therefore, rounded. Pritons are proteins
that are folded incorrectly. They cause various nervous system diseases in
animals and humans.
Protein synthesis takes place at the ribosomes of the cell. Meat, fish, eggs,
milk, beans, peas and nuts are good sources of dietary protein.
Excess amino acids are taken to the liver and form urea. This process is
called deamination. The urea is carried by the blood to the kidneys where it is
excreted as part of the urine.
Structural Role of Protein
Keratin: in hair and outer layer of the skin.
Vitamins
A vitamin is an organic compound needed in small quantities in the diet for
health. They are not made by the body but are ingested in nutrition.
Glucose + Oxygen
Minerals
Minerals or mineral nutrients are soluble inorganic salts that contain elements
essential for metabolism. Minerals are only needed in small quantities in
comparison to proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Plants obtain their minerals
by absorbing them from external water soil water, freshwater and
seawater. Animals receive most of their minerals in the food they eat; some
from the water they drink.
General Role of Minerals in Living Organisms
The construction of hard parts: calcium for teeth and bone; nitrogen for chitin
in the cell walls of fungi.
The formation of soft tissue: nitrogen and sulphur in the protein of muscle
tissue.
To maintain correct fluid concentration: sodium chloride role in blood plasma
concentration.
You are responsible to know 2 plant and 2 animal minerals:
Plant Minerals:
Calcium: for the middle lamella that glues neighbouring plant cell walls.
Magnesium: for the production of chlorophyll so vital for photosynthesis.
Animal Minerals:
Calcium: formation of teeth and bones.
Iron: formation of haemoglobin, which is vital for oxygen transport in our
blood.
Water