Summary
Summary Aqa As level Biology - Unit 1 to 3
Includes Biological molecules, sugars and polymers
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Biological MoleculesMolecules of Life
Biological molecules like carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, and lipids are essential components of
cells and organisms.
These molecules form the basis of life and are crucial for various biological processes.
Evolutionary evidence suggests that all organisms share common ancestors and have diversified over
time.
Organisms exhibit similarities in biochemistry, using carbon-based compounds like nucleic acids and
amino acids.
Common genetic materials like DNA and RNA, as well as amino acids, indicate a shared ancestry
among animals and plants.
Monomers and Polymers
Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are primarily polymers, consisting of long chains of
monomers.
Monomers are basic molecular units that combine to form polymers.
Examples of monomers include monosaccharides, amino acids, and nucleotides.
Polymerisation of biological molecules typically occurs through condensation reactions.
In condensation reactions, monomers bond together, releasing a water molecule.
Sugars
Sugars refer to monosaccharides and disaccharides, serving as essential components of
carbohydrates.
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of sugars and act as the fundamental units of carbohydrates.
All carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elements.
Evolutionary Evidence
Evidence for Evolution
Evolutionary evidence supports the theory that all organisms share common ancestors and have
evolved over time.
The biochemical similarities among different organisms suggest a common genetic heritage.
Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, along with amino acids, provide indirect evidence for evolutionary
relationships.
The presence of common molecular components across species indicates shared ancestry.
Understanding the biochemical basis of life helps in tracing evolutionary patterns.
Polymerisation Processes
Polymers are formed by linking monomers through condensation reactions.
Condensation reactions create chemical bonds between monomers, releasing water molecules.
Hydrolysis reactions, on the other hand, break chemical bonds in polymers by adding water
molecules.
The process of polymerisation and depolymerisation is essential for the synthesis and breakdown of
biological molecules.
Understanding these processes aids in comprehending the structural and functional aspects of
macromolecules.
Monosaccharides
Overview of Monosaccharides
Monosaccharides are the simplest sugars and serve as the building blocks of carbohydrates.
All carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Common monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Glucose is a hexose sugar with six carbon atoms in each molecule.
Glucose exists in two forms: alpha (α) and beta (β) glucose, which are isomers with the same
molecular formula but different atomic arrangements.
It is essential to learn the structures of both alpha and beta glucose for examinations.
Glucose Isomers
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller arijz2024. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73096 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 15 years now