Biological molecules
I can describe carbohydrates, proteins and lipids as biological molecules and what they are made of.
Biological molecules
I can describe carbohydrates, proteins and lipids as biological molecules and what they are made of.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Organisms are made of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (including fats), plus water and minerals.
- Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are used to build cell structures including membranes and organelles.
- Carbohydrates are polymers made of sugars.
- Proteins are polymers made of amino acids.
- Lipids are molecules made of fatty acids and glycerol.
Keywords
Polymer - A polymer is a molecule made of many repeated units.
Sugar - Sugars are the units used to build large carbohydrate molecules.
Amino acid - Amino acids are the units used to build protein molecules.
Fatty acid - A fatty acid is one of two units used to build lipid molecules.
Glycerol - Glycerol is one of two units used to build lipid molecules.
Common misconception
Confusion often arises over which monomers are used to build which polymers.
The lesson clearly explores carbohydrates, proteins and lipids as separate sections and covers the monomers and the polymers they form with care and repetition.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
used for energy and insulation
used as an energy source
used for growth and repair
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a molecule made of many repeated units
the units used to build large carbohydrate molecules
the units used to build protein molecules
one of two units used to build lipid molecules
a molecule made of one unit