IGCSE Biology 8 Views 1 Answers
List the chemical elements that make up: carbohydrates, fats and proteins
List the chemical elements that make up: carbohydrates, fats and proteins
Answered step-by-step
The chemical elements that make up carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are as follows:
Carbohydrates
- Elements: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O).
- Description: Carbohydrates typically have a general formula of Cx(H2O)y, indicating a ratio of hydrogen to oxygen similar to that in water. They include sugars, starches, and fibers found in various foods.
Fats (Lipids)
- Elements: Primarily Carbon (C) and Hydrogen (H), with some Oxygen (O).
- Description: Fats are made up of glycerol and fatty acids. The fatty acids consist of long hydrocarbon chains, which can be saturated or unsaturated. Although fats primarily contain carbon and hydrogen, they also include oxygen in the ester bonds formed between glycerol and fatty acids.
Proteins
- Elements: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), and sometimes Sulfur (S).
- Description: Proteins are composed of amino acids, which contain an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side chain. The presence of nitrogen distinguishes proteins from carbohydrates and fats.
In summary:
- Carbohydrates: C, H, O
- Fats: C, H (and O)
- Proteins: C, H, O, N (and sometimes S)
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