Biological Molecules

Biological • 4 most common elements in living

Molecules organisms:
– Hydrogen
– Carbon
– Oxygen
– Nitrogen
• Molecules vary in size

Topic 1.1: Water

Biological Molecules Water

• Smaller molecules:
– Soluble, easily transported
– Metabolic reactions
• Larger molecules:
– Storage
– Structural
– Information
• Most abundant of the smaller
molecules
• 60-95% fresh mass of an organism
1. Chemical constituent of living cells
(protoplasm)
2. Environment for organisms living in
water

Characteristics Significance
• Polar (uneven charge distribution) • Solvent for polar substances
• Hydrogen bonding • Chemical reactions in cells
mainly in aqueous solutions

1
 Significance Significance
• Transport medium in: • Non-polar substances are usually
– Blood repelled by water and group together
– Excretory system • Hydrophobic
– Alimentary canal
– Xylem
– Phloem
• Reactant in chemical reactions
of metabolism

Significance Significance
• Component of:
• High heat capacity
– Lubricants
– Digestive juices • High heat of
– Blood vaporization
• Other uses: • High heat of fusion
– Photosynthesis
– Regulation of
body temp
– Hydrolysis

Significance
• High surface tension and cohesion
• Cohesive and adhesive forces