ORGANIC SUBSTANCES.

Plants are able to trap CO2 from the air and

convert it into simple sugars via the process of
photosynthesis.

The more complex organic molecules

needed for growth are made by:
o Linking simple molecules
together, or
o Attaching other chemical
groups such as amines (NH-2) or
phosphates (PO2-4).
The four main types of organic molecules are:
CARBOHYDRATES.

 Important source of energy for

living things.
Are made of carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen.
Contain basic sub units:
o MONOSACCHARIDES
Simple sugars formed
during photosynthesis
(Glucose).
Are soluble in water.
General formula is CnH2nOn.
Are the basic building
blocks of more complex
carbohydrates.
o DISACCHARIDES

 Formed when 2
monosaccharides join
together.
Formed via the process of
CONDENSATION
condensation reactions
produce water.
o POLYSACCHARIDES
Are complex
carbohydrates consisting
of multiple sugar units
condensed to form huge
molecules.
STARCH is a
polysaccharide. One
starch molecule
contains 2000 3000
condensed glucose
molecules.
Are insoluble in water.

 LIPIDS.
Include fats and oils which are
important energy-storing molecules.
Are made of carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen, but in different proportions
to carbohydrates (the ratio of H to
O is never 2:1).
Contain very little oxygen.
Can contain phosphorous and
nitrogen.
Are usually insoluble in water.
Contain more than twice the energy
of carbohydrates.

 PROTEINS.
Are the most abundant organic
molecules in cells, needed for
growth and repair.
The structure and function of cells
depends upon the proteins from
which they are made.

 Are more complex than

carbohydrates and lipids and their
functions vary widely. Each kind of
organism has its own unique
proteins.
Can form enzymes, hormones,
carrier molecules (like haemoglobin
in the blood) or structural
components.
Are made of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen; many also
contain sulphur and often
phosphorous.
Are composed of subunits called
amino acids. Amino acids are linked
together by peptide bonds, and
proteins are called POLYPEPTIDES
or POLYPEPTIDE CHAINS.

 NUCLEIC ACIDS.
Are organic molecules which contain
linked sugar molecules, nitrogen
bases and phosphate groups.
Play an important role in
determining heredity.
There are two types:
o DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
o RNA (ribonucleic acid)

 Both are made up of long chains of

subunits called nucleotides.

DNA carries instructions to

assemble proteins. RNA carries
these instructions from the nucleus
to the ribosomes.

 VITAMINS.
Are organic molecules required in
small amounts for normal cell
functioning.
Can be either:
o Water-soluble (Vitamins B and
C) which must be consumed
regularly because they cannot
be stored.
o Lipid-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E
and K) which can be stored.