Chemicals for Life

Carbohydrates Sugars and starch C,H,O Energy source

Proteins

Made of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds

C, H, O, N, sometimes S Very important! They have several

functions including movement and structure Enzymes are a very important type of

proteins. They speed up chemical reactions of a cell to biologically useful rates.

Lipids Fats, oils, waxes, steroids C, H, O, sometimes P Used for energy storage and insulation Important component of cell

membranes

Nucleic Acids

Contain hereditary info C, H, O, N, P Made of nucleotides (sugar, nitrogen

base, and phosphate group) RNA, DNA Important for building proteins Can be used to store info