Chapter 7, Problem 10STP

Summary Introduction

To compare:

The functions of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Introduction:

Proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates are the types of biomoleculespresent in a cell. These biomolecules perform a variety of functions andcollectively form a major portion of the dry mass of a cell. Biomoleculescontain a significant portion of carbon and thus are categorized as organicmolecules. Other major elements of biomolecules are nitrogen, oxygen, andhydrogen.

Explanation of Solution

Comparison between functions of lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids is as follows:

	Nucleic acid	Protein	Carbohydrate	Lipids
Monomer	Nucleotides	Amino acids	Monosaccharides	Glycerol and fatty acids
Bond between monomer units	Phosphodiester bond	Peptide bond	Glyosidic bond	Ester linkage
Uses	It holds the genetic information to be passed on to next generation and also for synthesis of different functional molecules.	Proteins are involved in transport, maintaining structure, signaling, storage, defensive role, and acting as receptors and enzymes.	Carbohydrates are involved in maintaining and forming structure, and acting as energy storage molecule.	Lipids act as energy source, chemical messenger, and is also involved in protecting an organism from foreign particles.

Conclusion

Functions of lipids are acting as an energy source, chemicalmessenger, and are also involved in protecting an organism from foreignparticles.The function of carbohydrates is maintaining and forming structure and actingas an energy storage molecule. Proteins are involved in transport, maintaining structure,signaling, storage, defensive role, and acting as receptors and enzymes, whereasnucleic acids are involved in holding the genetic information to be passed on tonext generation and also for the synthesis of different functional molecules.