There are four classes of organic molecules that are essential to all living organisms.
1. Carbohydrates:
Components: monosaccharides. Functions: energy for cell, raw material, energy storage, and plant cell support Ex: glucose, starch, glycogen, cellulose
2. Lipids (dont form polymers): Components: glycerol, fatty acid, components of a fat molecule Functions: energy storage, cell membrane components, and hormones Ex: fats, phospholipids, and steroids
3. Proteins:
Components: amino group, carboxil group, R group, and amino acid Function: enzyme, structural protein, movement, transport, communication, defense, storage, receive signals Ex: lactose, hair, tendons, muscles, hemoglobin, signal proteins, antibodies, egg albumin, receptor protein
4. Nucleic acids:
Components: phosphate group, nitrogeneous base, ribose or deoxyribose, nucleotide Functions: heredity, DNA
Ex: code for proteins, DNA and RNA
