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Unit 10 LA A Biological Molecules and Biochemical Processes
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Unit 10 LA A Biological Molecules and Biochemical Processes UnknownBiological molecules and biochemical processes
Intro-
I am a trainee technician that has been working in a biochemistry lab for six months.
Before moving onto the next phase of my technician training in another type of lab, my
supervisor has asked me to assist the new trainee biochemistry technician who will be
carrying out the same placement that I have just completed. I will demonstrate an
understanding of biochemical processes and the effects of disrupting these, as well as
include models of the relevant biological molecules that will enable me to show the
structure and function of these in living organisms to the new trainee.
A.P1
Biological molecules in living organisms
Biological molecules
Water-
Water is a molecule which is required everyday. It is vital for
allowing processes within both plants and animals to function
correctly. It takes part in various metabolic reactions, including
both hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
Structure/bonding-
Water is made up of two hydrogens and an oxygen atom. The
atoms are bonded together via a covalent bond. Each
individual water molecule has both a positively charged section
(hydrogen) and a negatively charged section (oxygen). Each
side is attracted to molecules with an opposite charge to that
side (following the rule of ‘opposite charge attract’). When the hydrogen atom on one water
molecule attracts to the oxygen atom of a different water molecule to come together and
form cohesions.
Importance-
This structure is partially important for allowing water to be taken up by the tube structured
transport cells within the roots of plants. As well as its benefit to plants the cohesion of water
molecules also results in water having a high boiling point of 100 oc, which helps body
temperature to be regulated by animals.
General functions of water within the human body include helping to flush body waste,
growth and reproduction, temperature regulation, keeping membranes moist, assists in the
delivery of oxygen to the body, aids digestion and is the main component of the majority of
cells.
Water also plays an important role in electrolyte balance. For instance, when extracellular
electrolyte concentration rises, water diffuses out of the cell by osmosis into the extracellular
space, diluting the extracellular fluid and raising the intracellular electrolyte concentration
levels.
A.P1, A.M1
1
, Unit 10 LA A Biological Molecules and Biochemical Processes Unknown
Carbohydrates-
Carbohydrates are an essential part of your diet in order for you to gain energy. They are
vital for all living organisms, as they act as an energy source and energy store, and are used
for structure. Carbohydrates are formed from monomers called monosaccharides (the
building blocks of carbohydrates).
Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
elements. Carbohydrate means ‘hydrated carbon’. The
general formula for carbohydrates is Cn(H2O)n (where n is
the number of carbon atoms). Therefore for every carbon
atom, there is an equivalent formula of water molecule.
They have a 1:2:1 ratio, which means that for every one
oxygen and carbon, there are two hydrogens. The
structure is as follows: CH2O. These monosaccharides
include glucose, fructose, and galactose. These are
common monosaccharides. Glycosidic bonds are formed
when a condensation reaction between two
monosaccharides occurs This resulted in the formation of
disaccharides. Examples of disaccharides include maltose,
sucrose and lactose.
A.P1, A.M1
Polysaccharides are the result of the condensation of
several glucose units. Glucose covers both alpha-glucose
and beta-glucose. These are the two isomers of glucose.
When the condensation of alpha-glucose occurs, glycogen
and starch are formed. When the condensation of beta-
glucose occurs, cellulose is formed.
Glycogen is necessary for animals as it is
the ‘stored’ form of glucose. It acts as a
reservoir of glucose for when the animal
body requires an influx of glucose due to a
lack of glucose from food. The body's cells
use glycogen, which is broken down, as a
rapid supply of glucose that may be released
into the bloodstream.
Starch is the polysaccharide used by the
body to make glucose after digestion.
Glucose is an essential molecule to the body
as it is an essential energy source for the
cells in the body. In plants, starch is formed using excess glucose produced via
photosynthesis. This occurs in the leaves. Much like glycogen acts as an energy reservoir
for animals, starch acts the same way in plants, as a food reservoir.
A.P1, A.M1
Also essential to plant is cellulose. Cellulose is required by plants to maintain their structure.
Cellulose is tough and water-insoluble, meaning it keeps the cell walls within the plant stable
and contributes to the maintenance of the structure of the plant overall.
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