Organic Molecules

Organic molecules are compounds formed by more than one element found in, and produced by, Living organisms. Organic molecules can also be defined as molecules with carbon in them associated with organisms. Organic molecules that are found in Living organisms are sub-divided into four different types. Each class of molecule has features that determine its uses in living organisms. The four types of Organic molecules are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids and Nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and fibers found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. They are one of the basic food groups and important to a healthy life. They are also called carbon hydrates, because at a chemical level, they contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a ratio of one carbon molecule and one water molecule. The origin of carbohydrates is traced to photosynthesis. They are classified as simple and complex carbohydrates. The difference between the two forms is the chemical structure and how quickly the sugar is absorbed and digested. Simple carbohydrates are digested and absorbed more quickly and easily than complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates contain sugars like fructose and galactose which are found in fruits and milk products. These single sugars are called monosaccharides. Carbohydrates with two sugars like sucrose, lactose and maltose which are found in table sugar, dairy, beer and some vegetables are called disaccharides. Complex carbohydrates (Polysaccharides) contain three or more sugars. They are often referred to as starchy foods and include beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, potatoes, corn, parsnips, whole-grain breads and cereals. The right kind of carbohydrates can be incredibly good for us. Not only are they necessary for your health, but they carry a variety of added benefits like good mental health, weight loss, good source of nutrients and heart health.

The second type of organic molecules is Proteins. Proteins are built from building blocks called Amino acids joined together with peptide bonds. They are made up of about twenty different Amino acids. They are also known as Polypeptides. They are a part of cell membranes, act as enzymes in cellular reactions, and are vital molecules in our immune system. These peptide chemical bonds link amino acids together into chains, like the beads on a long necklace. A dipeptide has two amino acids linked together, and polypeptide has more than two. They have four levels of structures namely, Primary structure, Secondary structure, Tertiary structure and Quaternary