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Summary Aqa As level Biology - Unit 1 to 3
Includes Biological molecules, sugars and polymers
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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
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