Vittoria International School, Torino

Chemistry course Biological molecules and foodThe chemistry of macromolecules

Professor

Elena V. Tibaldi

carbohydrates

lipids

vitamins

proteins

When we buy food we find a table called “nutrition facts”

what are those names listed?

Carbohydrates are the most important molecules for energy production

Plants are able to produce glucose through photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O + solar energy Glucose + O2

Animals need to eat food to get glucose for

the cells

Muscle cells are plenty of mitochondria they need a lot of energy!

Glucose + O2 CO2 + H2O + ATP

Energy is produced in the cells through a process called

cell respiration

Carbohydrates and energy production

Carbohydrates

monosaccharides

glucose

fructose

galactose

polisaccharides

cellulosestarch

glycogen

disaccharides

maltose

lactose

sucrose

High levels of glucose in blood danger

www.nlm.nih.gov/.../ency/fullsize/18029.jpg

Glucose test

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Eccess glucose in bloodstream diabetes

Lipids

functions

energy storage

hormone precursor

structural

impermeabilization

thermal insulation

vitamine precursor

mechanicalprotection

types

triglycerides

cholesterol

waxes

phospholipids

steroids

• long chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen• insoluble in water

Triglycerides

• made of glycerol and three fatty acids• insoluble in water• energy storage and impermeabilization

• oil if liquid at RT (ie olive oil) and fat is solid at RT (ie butter)

myoptumhealth.com

Phospholipids

• Produced in liver

• Main constituent of cell membrane lipid bilayer

• Formed by a hydrophilic head (glycerol and phosphate group) and two hydrophobic tails (fatty acids)

Waxes1) Insoluble in water protection and impermeabilization

Bird feathers Upper surface of leaves

3) Bees use them to build the hive

2) Fruit impermeabilization (apples, pear, cherries)

Cholesterol

www.lowercholesterolldl.com

• in animal cell membrane• vitamin D precursor (bones and teeth)

• produced by liver

High cholesterol levels danger!

In liver: gallstone formation

medicalimages.allrefer.com

In blood: atherosclerotic plaques build up in artery walls

hubpages.com

Proteins

functions

immune defense

muscle contraction

structuraltransport

membrane receptor

enzymatic

regulatory

• Chain of aminoacids

• Found in eggs, meat, fish, milk and derivatives, vegetables and cereals

Vitamins

In vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, cereals

Many different types:• vit A (retinol)• vit B complex• vit C (ascorbic acid)• vit D (important for bones and teeth)• vit K (produced by bacterial flora)

phentermine.bz/tag/natural-vitamins

Breakfast is a very important meal

During breakfast we need to get at least 20% of daily values

Breakfast should be abondant, but easy to digest

Cereals, rusks, milk and coffee and fruits

should be preferable to

butter, croissants and cakes!

Have a good and healthy day!