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Biological macromolecules, water and inorganic ions

Molecular basis of life · Lesson 1 of 3

Lesson 1 of 3

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Lesson 1 of 3 · Molecular basis of life

Biological macromolecules, water and inorganic ions

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Describe and compare monomers and polymers in biological molecules, including monosaccharides, amino acids and nucleotides, and explain the roles of condensation and hydrolysis reactions in forming and breaking biological macromolecules.
Classify carbohydrates as monoses, disaccharides and polysaccharides, and explain the structure and functions of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, starch, glycogen and cellulose, including the significance of $\alpha$- and $\beta$-glucose and glycosidic bonds.

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Explain the structure and properties of lipids, including triglycerides and phospholipids, and relate saturation, ester bonding, hydrophobic behaviour and the phosphate-containing head of phospholipids to their biological functions.

Describe the general structure of an amino acid and the formation of peptide bonds, then explain how primary, secondary, tertiary and, where applicable, quaternary structure arise and determine the properties and functions of proteins such as enzymes, collagen, keratin and globular transport proteins.

Explain the unique properties of water arising from polarity and hydrogen bonding, including its roles as a solvent, transport medium, metabolite, habitat, temperature buffer and in cohesion and adhesion.

State the importance of inorganic ions in living organisms and apply knowledge of ions such as hydrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, iron and chloride to examples including pH balance, nerve and muscle function, cofactors, haemoglobin, ATP, DNA and photosynthesis.

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