Biochemistry
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A series of free High School Chemistry Video Lessons.
In this lesson, we will learn
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Fats and Lipids
- Nucleic Acid
Proteins
Proteins, also known as polypeptide chains, are macromolecules of linked amino acids. Proteins are types of organic compounds that, among other things, store energy and form enzymes. Proteins have several levels of structure. On their primary structural level, they resemble neat chains, while on their tertiary level they resemble tangled messes.
The description and importance of proteins.
The fascinating protein molecule
Chemistry Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are macromolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Biologists are interested in carbohydrates because they serve as energy storage and as structural frameworks within cells. Simple carbohydrates consist of only 1 or 2 monomers, or monosaccharide’s, while complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides, are chains of monomers. Some types of carbohydrates are sugars, starches and cellulose. Plants manufacture carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
An introduction to chemistry carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates
Fats and Lipids
Fats and lipids are large organic molecules which are used for energy storage and which make up the which make up the lipid bi-layer of the plasma membrane of cells. Lipids have hydrophobic tails which are composed of chains of hydrocarbons and hydrophilic heads which are composed of a carboxyl group. A lipid monomer is either glycerol and fatty acids or a steroid core. Types of lipids include triglycerides (fats) and phospholipids (e.g. soap).
The description of a lipid.
This video describes the lipids (of the fats). It explains how they are an important source of energy but are also required to cell membranes. It explains how the hydrocarbon tails in triglycerides contain energy available for life. It also explains how phospholipids construct, and cholesterol molecules main the cell membrane.
Nucleic Acid
Nucleic acids are long chains of monomers (nucleotides) that function as storage molecules in a cell. Nucleotides are composed of sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. ATP, DNA and RNA are all examples of nucleic acids.
The description and mechanistic functions of nucleic acids.
This video explains the importance and structure of nucleic acids. It begins with an introduction to DNA and RNA. It then describes the important parts of a nucleotide and shows how they are connected through covalent and hydrogen bonding.
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