Question
3. Name the four main biological compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids). List the
elements found in them, their monomers/polymers, their functions, and an example of each.
Answer
Carbohydrates: Elements - Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen; Monomer - Monosaccharides; Polymer - Polysaccharides; Function - Energy storage and structural support; Example - Glucose, Starch.
Lipids: Elements - Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen; Monomer - Fatty acids and glycerol; Polymer - None; Function - Energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure; Example - Triglycerides, Phospholipids.
Proteins: Elements - Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and sometimes Sulfur; Monomer - Amino acids; Polymer - Polypeptides; Function - Enzymes, structural support, transport, and defense; Example - Hemoglobin, Insulin.
Nucleic Acids: Elements - Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus; Monomer - Nucleotides; Polymer - DNA and RNA; Function - Genetic information storage and transfer; Example - DNA, RNA.