BIOMOLECULES
SYLLABUS
Carbonate chain
Each CARBON has the ability to join with up to 4 other
electrons, for example 4 HYDROGEN, so that a covalent
bond is formed between them, and each of them complies
with the octet rule.
Other elements that are
present
DNA
• DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains
carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphate.
• It is formed by chains of nucleotides: it consists of two strands
wound around each other (double helix) thanks to the bases that
are complementary (complementary base paring).
• Its function is to carry the instructions for the growth and
development of all organisms.
CARBOHYDRATES
• Are molecules that contain carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen. There are twice as many hydrogen
atoms as carbon or oxygen atoms.
The general formula for a carbohydrate can be written as
Cx(H2O)y.
• They have different functions: as the source of energy (e.g.
glucose), as a store of energy (e.g. starch and glycogen) and
as structural units (e.g. cellulose in plants and chitins in
insects).
Food test 1
IODINE TEST
It detects the presence of starch
1. Add a few drops of iodine solution to a food sample or a food solution (yellowish).
2. Black coloration means starch is present. Purple and blue coloration mean that
there is starch in a lower proportion.
Food test 2
BENEDICTS TEST
It detects the presence of reduced sugars
1. Add equal amount of benedicts solution into a solution of food (blue)
2. Boil gently (heat it around 3 minutes)
3. A colour change signifies presence and quantity of monosacchrides.
PROTEINS
• Are molecules that contain carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen. In this molecules, nitrogen is
also found.
• They form long chains of amino acids. They all contain
the same basic structure but the ‘R’ group is different for
each one.
• Depending on how the aminoacids are arranged and the
protein is folded, they can have different structures.
Food test 4
BIURET TEST
It detects the presence of proteins
1. Add Biuret reagent into a food solution or crushed food.
2. The presence of proteins is revealed with the colour purple.
Food test 4
BIURET TEST
It detects the presence of proteins
1. If the Biuret reagent is not ready, you should prepare it:
– Add the same volume of NaOH (or KOH) to a test tube with food and stir.
– Add a few drops of CuSO4 solution, shaking after each drop.
2. The presence of proteins is revealed with the colour purple.
LIPIDS
• Are molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Fatty acids have the general formula CH3(CH2)nCOOH, where
nusually ranges from 2 to 28 and is always an even number.
• Most fats (lipids) in the body are made up of triglycerides. Their
basic unit is 1 glycerol molecule chemically bonded to 3 fatty
acid chains
• Lipids are divided into:
– fats (solids at room temperature)
– oils (liquids at room temperature)
Food test 4
EMULSION TEST
It detects the presence of lipids (insoluble in water)
1. Add ethanol 95% into a food solution. Mix it with an equal amount of water
(uncolour).
2. The appearance of a emulsion (cloudy) on the top means that there is presents of
fats.
Cell membrane
