Question

What is the difference between organic and inorganic molecules? Give three examples of each. For each example tell how it is used at the cellular level.

Answer 1

Organic Molecule : The compounds that have carbon atoms found in living systems .In living beings,Large organic molecules called macro molecules can consist of hundreds or thousands of atoms.Most macromolecules are polymers,molecules that consist of a single unit(monomer)repeated many times.Organic molecules are usually composed of carbon atoms in rings or chain, to which are attached other atoms of such elements as hydrogen,oxygen and nitrogen.

Examples of Organic molecules are Carbohydrates,Lipids,Proteins.

1. Carbohydrates - A carbohydrate is a biomolecule/organic molecule consisting of carbon,hydrogen and oxygen atoms.They are classified into three groups according to the number of sugar (saccharide) molecules present.

A MONOSACCHARIDE is the simplest kind of carbohydrate containing single sugar molecule such as fructose and glucose.

A DISACCHARIDE consists of two linked sugar molecules like sucrose.

A POLYSACCHARIDE consists of a series of monosaccharides like starch.

Carbohydrates are used as the primary energy sources.The cells use carbohydrates as the main source of energy,however glucose is the only from that can enter the cell and gets used.

2. Lipids - these are a class of organic molecues that are insoluble in water but are soluble in non polar solvents.

eg. TRIGLYCERIDES include fats,oils and waxes.They consists of three fatty acids bounded to glycerol molecule.

The body uses lipids or fats as a supply and store of energy.Some lipids make up the outer layer of all the cells and fatty sheaths that insulate nerve fibers.

3.Proteins : Very important component of every cell in the body.Hairs and nails are mostly made up of proteins.The body uses proteins to build and repair tissues.Enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals are all proteins.

Inorganic molecules : Inorganic molecules are generally simple and are not found in living things.It lacks a carbon atom.Those compounds with carbon atom are called organic compounds due to their root base in an atom that is vital for life.However are are some inorganic compounds that do contain carbon but are considered inorganic like carbon di oxide and carbon mono oxide. Common examples of inorganic compounds are listed below :

1. H2O - Water is a simple inorganic compound even though it contains hydrogen in many inorganic compounds,the atoms in a molecule of water have formed very simple bonds due to this lack of carbon.Water is often called a universal solvent because it is key to many processes.It helps to break waste and nutrients down in the ecll so that they can be moved through various membranes and natural filters in the body.

2. HCl - Hydrochloride, also known as hydrochloric acid is an inorganic compound.It when dissolved in water is a colourless corrosive acid with a strong pH.It is found in gastric juices that helps in digestion by breaking down food.

3.NaCl - Sodium chloride , also known as salt is an inorganic compound containing sodium and chloride ions. Sodium is found in the bone and in the fluid inside and outside the cell.It is an important compound in the body used to absorb and transport nutrients, to maintain blood pressure and right balance of fluid.

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