1.3.

1 Function of Food
Why do we need food?

Food is needed for:

1.Energy
2.Growth of new cells and
Repair of existing cells, tissues, organs, etc.
The materials and energy for the processes of:
1. Metabolism and
2. Continuity

1.3.2 Chemical Elements

Elements in Food

Need to know

Chemical elements
Six common elements in food
Five elements in dissolved salts
Three trace elements

What is Food made up of?

Food is made up of:
Six chemical elements
C, H, O, N, P, S
Salts of
Na, Mg, Cl, K, Ca
Three trace elements
Fe, Cu, Zn

Chemical Elements and their Symbols

Calcium

Ca

Nitrogen

Carbon

Oxygen

Chlorine

Cl

Phosphorus

Copper

Cu

Potassium

Hydrogen

Sodium

Na

Iron

Fe

Sulphur

Magnesium

Mg

Zinc

Zn
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1.3.3 Biomolecular Structures

Need to know
Define Biomolecular Structures
State that simple biomolecular units are
composed of a combination of elements in
different ratios e.g. carbohydrates Cx(H2O)y

Need to know
State that simple bio molecular units are composed of a
combination of elements in different ratios e.g.
carbohydrates Cx(H2O)y
Name the element components, bio molecular
components and sources of: carbohydrates, lipids and
proteins.
State that carbohydrates are composed of indivisible
units and give examples of these e.g.
Monosaccharides glucose;
Disaccharides maltose; &
Polysaccharides starch/cellulose.
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Types of Food
The elements combine in different ratios to form
different food components (biomolecular
units)
Food is made up of six different components
Water

Proteins

Lipids

Carbohydrates

Vitamins

Minerals
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Humans are mainly made up of Water!

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Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates contain the elements
Carbon

Hydrogen

Oxygen

The general formula for a carbohydrate is

Cx(H2O)y
There are twice as many hydrogen molecules as
oxygen molecules
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Learning check
What are the six different food components?
Water

Proteins

Lipids

Carbohydrates

Vitamins

Minerals

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A common carbohydrate
General formula = Cx(H2O)y
When x = y = 6
We get the formula C6H12O6
What is the name of this monosaccharide
carbohydrate?
Glucose

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Another common carbohydrate

General formula = Cx(H2O)y
When x = 12 and y = 11
We get the formula C12H22O11
What is the name of this disaccharide
carbohydrate?
Sucrose

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Learning check
Name the three elements that make up
carbohydrates
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
What is the general formula for a carbohydrate?
Cx(H2O)y

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1.3.4 Biomolecular Sources and

the Components of Food

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates contain the elements
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Usually in the ratio of 1C:2H:1O
or Cx(H20)x
They have twice as many hydrogen molecules as
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oxygen molecules

3 Types of Carbohydrate
Monosaccharides

Disaccharides

Polysaccharides
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Monosaccharides
These are
single sugar molecules
simple sugars
soluble in water
sweet to taste
smallest carbohydrate unit
Examples:
Found in:

C
C

glucose, fructose
fruit

C
C

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Learning check
What are the elements that make up all
carbohydrates?
Carbon

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Can you remember the general formula for a

carbohydrate?
Cx(H2O)y

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Disaccharides
These are
two monosaccharide sugar units joined together
known as double sugar molecules
soluble in water
sweet to taste

Examples:
Found in:

sucrose, lactose, maltose

table sugar, milk
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Polysaccharides
These are
Many monosaccharide sugar molecules joined
together
Not soluble in water
Do not taste sweet
Example: starch, cellulose
Found in: bread, pasta, cereals
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Learning check
Name the three types of carbohydrate

Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides

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Learning check
Give examples and sources of:
Examples
Monosaccharides

Glucose

Sources
fruit

Fructose

Disaccharides
Polysaccharides

Sucrose

Table sugar

Lactose

Milk

Starch

Bread, Pasta,

Cellulose

Cereals
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Lipids
Lipids are a diverse group of substances
which include
fats (solid at room temp.)
oils (liquid at room temp.)
steroids which include cholesterol and
some of the sex hormones
waxes which cover insect bodies and plant
leaves.

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Structure of Lipids
They are made up of the elements
carbon
hydrogen
oxygen
But not have the same ratios as carbohydrates.
They are made up of two main types of molecules
Fatty acids and
Glycerol
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Types of Lipid
Two of the main types of lipids are
Triglycerides
Phospholipids

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Triglyceride
This is the smallest lipid
It is made up of
3 fatty acid molecules
and
1 glycerol molecule

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Phospholipids
If one fatty acid of a lipid molecule is replaced
by a phosphate group then a phospholipid is
formed

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Sources of Lipids
Fat in and on meat
Butter (80% fat)
Cooking oils

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Learning check
The two main types of molecules that make up
lipids are:
Fatty acids and
Glycerol
The two main types of lipids are:
Triglycerides
Phospholipids

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Proteins
Proteins contain the elements
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Some may also contain sulphur, phosphorous
or iron
Proteins are found in lean meat, fish, pulses,
soya and eggs

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Structure of Proteins
Proteins are made up of long chains of
amino acids
There are 20 common and several rare amino
acids found in proteins
More amino acids are found in cells and tissues
but are not in proteins
Amino acids are joined together by
peptide bonds
This results in the formation of polypeptide
chains
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Amino Acids
All amino acids contain four distinct chemical
groups connected to a central carbon atom:
a single hydrogen atom
an amino group
a carboxyl group
a side chain

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Peptide -> polypeptide-> Protein

Peptide < 20 amino acids
Polypeptide >20 amino acids
Protein = long polypeptide chain > 200 amino
acids

Proteins categorized by shape

Fibrous protein show little or
no folding, form long fibres and
are strong and tough
e.g. keratin in hair and nails

Globular proteins show lots of

folding. They form rounded
shapes
e.g. proteins and albumen

Learning check
Proteins contain the elements
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Sometimes they contain
sulphur, phosphorous or iron
Proteins are made up of long chains of
amino acids
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Vitamins
Need to know
What is a vitamin?
Name one water soluble vitamin.
Name one water in-soluble vitamin (fatsoluble)
List the sources of these vitamins

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Vitamins
Vitamins are essential organic catalysts of
metabolism
Needed in small amounts, cannot be
produced in the body
Must be supplied continuously and in
sufficient quantities
Differ from each other chemically
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Vitamins
MUST know 1 water soluble & 1 fat soluble
vitamin
We need Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K in our
diets to keep us healthy
Vitamins can be water soluble or fat soluble

Vitamins B and C are water soluble

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble
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Sources of Vitamins
Vitamin

Source

Green leafy vegetables, Eggs, Cheese,

Carrots

Lean Meat, Cereals, Nuts

Citrus Fruits, Green vegetables, Turnips

Milk and Milk products, Sunlight

Vegetable oils, fish, nuts

Green leafy vegetables

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1.3.5 Energy Transfer Reactions

Metabolic reactions can be divided into 2
categories
Anabolic & Catabolic
Or
Anabolism & Catabolism

Anabolic Reactions
This is where energy is used to make large
molecules (e.g. C6H12O6) from smaller ones
(e.g. CO2 and H2O) using enzymes
e.g. Photosynthesis glucose molecules are
formed from carbon dioxide and water using
enzymes and the energy from the sun.
This is anabolism. Energy is absorbed.

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An Anabolic Reaction
Energy being used to join two small molecules
to make a larger molecule

Small molecule

Small molecule

ENERGY

Larger molecule

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Catabolic Reactions
This is where energy is released when large
molecules (e.g. C6H12O6) are broken down to
form smaller ones (e.g. CO2 and H2O) using
enzymes
e.g. Respiration glucose molecules are broken
down by enzymes to form carbon dioxide and
water and energy is released.
This is catabolism. Energy is released.
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Learning check
Explain Anabolism
Energy absorbed. Small large molecules
Give an example of an anabolic reaction
Photosynthesis
Explain Catabolism
Energy released. Large small molecules
Give an example of a catabolic reaction
Respiration
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Is catabolism the opposite of

anabolism?
In the examples just given the chemical
processes (pathways*) involved in each of
them are different, therefore catabolism is not
the opposite of anabolism.
* e.g. if you travel from A to B you followed a
certain pathway. On the return journey you
may come home through C you followed a
different pathway.
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Energy Transfer Reactions

Respiration Catabolic reaction
C6H12O6 + Oxygen Energy + CO2 + H2O
release
Photosynthesis Anabolic reaction
CO2 + H2O + Energy C6H12O6 + Oxygen
absorbed

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Learning check
Is anabolism the opposite of catabolism ?
No
Why?
Different chemical pathways involved in both.

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1.3.6 Structural Role of

Biomolecules

What does the Structural Role of

Biomolecules mean?
Structure = the way in which something is built
e.g. timber structure, steel structure
Role = function/job or position
Biomolecules = carbohydrates, fats, proteins
Structural Role of Biomolecules = the
function/job of carbohydrates, fats, proteins in
making various parts of living things

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Structural role of Carbohydrate

Cell Structure
Cellulose (polysaccharide)
found in plant cell walls

Chitin (polysaccharide)
found in fungal cell walls
and insect exoskeletons
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Structural role of Proteins

Cell structure
Proteins are fibrous (threadlike) in nature.
They combine with phospholipids to from cell
membranes (lipoproteins)
Keratin is the structural protein in skin, hair
and nails
Myosin is the structural protein in muscle

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Structural role of Lipids

Cell Structure
Important storage molecules in organisms
Heat insulation e.g. under the skin
Waterproof the body
Protection around body organs e.g. kidney,
heart
Phospholipids and lipoproteins are major
components in cell membranes
Myelin helps transmit messages in nerve cells
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Learning check
What is the structural role of proteins?
Proteins are fibrous (threadlike) in nature.
They combine with phospholipids to from cell
membranes (lipoproteins)
Keratin is the structural protein in skin, hair
and nails
Myosin is the structural protein in muscle

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Need to know
Structural Role of Biomolecules
State carbohydrates role as cellulose in cell
walls
State proteins role as fibrous protein e.g.
keratin or as myosin
State the role of lipids as Phospholipids in cell
membranes

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1.3.7 Metabolic Role of

Biomolecules

What does the Metabolic Role of

Biomolecules mean?
Metabolic = metabolism = all the chemical
reactions in a cell
Role = function/job or position/involvement
Biomolecules = carbohydrates, fats, proteins
Metabolic Role of Biomolecules = the
function / job / involvement of
carbohydrates, fats, proteins in the
chemical reactions in cells making various
substances for living things

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Metabolic Role of Carbohydrates and

Lipids
These are the primary sources of energy for
metabolism e.g.
glucose (carbohydrate) is an immediate
source of energy
lipids are a long-term energy storage

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Metabolic Role of Carbohydrates and

Lipids
They are important in the following
processes:
Respiration energy is released when
glucose is broken down to form carbon
dioxide and water catabolism
Photosynthesis glucose molecules are
made from carbon dioxide and water using
the suns energy anabolism

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Metabolic Role of Proteins

All enzymes are proteins and have a folded

shape. Enzymes control the chemical
reactions in cells.
e.g. enzymes control the processes of
photosynthesis and respiration
Chlorophyll is a protein that traps the suns
energy during photosynthesis
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Learning check
1. Give examples of the primary sources of
energy for metabolism
Glucose & Lipids
2. Name two important metabolic pathways
and state whether they are anabolic or
catabolic
Photosynthesis anabolic
Respiration catabolic
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Metabolic Role of Hormones

Hormones regulate body functions
e.g. the hormone insulin controls the amount of
glucose in the blood
Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are
other hormones controlling human sexual
development

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Learning check
What is the metabolic role of protein?
Enzymes are proteins.
Enzymes control the processes of photosynthesis
and respiration
Chlorophyll is a protein that traps the suns
energy during photosynthesis

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Metabolic Role of Vitamins

Definition: can you remember it
Vitamins are essential organic catalysts of
metabolism
They are needed in small amounts for the
correct functioning of the body
They cannot be made by the body
They must be in the diet

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Vitamin C
Chemical name: ascorbic acid
Solubility:
water soluble
Function: for building connective tissue i.e.
tissue used for attaching organs together or
for protection, e.g. skin, blood vessels, bone,
tendons, cartilage, ligaments
Source: Citrus Fruits, Green vegetables

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Vitamin D
Chemical name: calciferol
Solubility:
fat soluble
Function: needed to absorb calcium from food.
Calcium needed for healthy teeth and bone
formation and their maintenance
Source: Dairy products, fish liver oils, egg yolk,
made by skin in sunlight

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Vitamin deficiency disorders

Lack of Vitamin C causes
scurvy
Symptoms: soft bleeding gums, bad and loose
teeth
Lack of Vitamin D causes
rickets in young children
Symptoms: softening of the bones of the spinal
column and bowlegs
osteomalacia in adults
Symptoms: the bones lose calcium and become
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weak common in vegans

Need to know
State that carbohydrates & lipids act as a
primary source of energy
State that proteins act as enzymes and are
made of amino acids
State that hormones (protein) act as
regulators of metabolic activity
State that vitamin C & D are used for tissue
growth, cell production and health
maintenance
Name disorders associated with deficiency
of a water soluble and a fat-soluble vitamin
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1.3.8 Minerals

Minerals
What are minerals?
They are salts formed from the earths rocks.
These mineral salts then dissolve in water and
are absorbed by plants.
Animals get their minerals by eating plants or
other animals that contain them.
NB Minerals are required by organisms in very
small amounts.
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Minerals and Plants

Plants absorb minerals through their roots.
They use:
Calcium (Ca) to make cell walls
Magnesium (Mg) to make the pigment
chlorophyll
Nitrates (N) to make proteins
Phosphates (P) to make ATP, DNA

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Minerals and Animals

Animals get their minerals in the food they eat.
They use
Calcium (Ca) to make bones and teeth
Iron (Fe) to make the pigment haemoglobin
Sodium (Na) for the regulation of the
osmotic balance (water content) of cells and
the blood.
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Learning check
How do plants get their minerals?
_________________________________
Plantsuse:
absorb minerals through their roots
Plants
Calcium (Ca) to make ________
cell_________
walls
Magnesium (Mg) to make
the pigment
_________
chlorophyll
Nitrates
(N) to make ______
proteins
Phosphates (P) to make
_________
ATP, DNA
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Learning check
How do animals get their minerals?
In the food they eat
________________
Animals use:
bones and teeth
Calcium (Ca) to make ____________
Iron (Fe) to make the pigment __________
haemoglobin
Sodium (Na) for the regulation of the
osmotic
balance (___________)
water content of cells and
_____________
the blood.
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Minerals Summary
They are required to:
Form part of rigid body tissues
Calcium in bones and cell walls
Form certain pigments
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin the
red pigment of blood
Magnesium is needed to make chlorophyll
the green pigment in plants
Regulate body fluids
Sodium balances water content in cells
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Need to know
Minerals required in small amounts
Minerals used in three ways
Form part of rigid body structures
Form soft body tissues
Function in cellular and body fluids
State the requirements & use of any 2
minerals in plants.
State the requirements & use of any 2
minerals in animals.

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