Translations:Metabolism/7/en
Key biochemicals
Most of the structures that make up animals, plants and microbes are made from four basic classes of molecules: amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleic acid and lipids (often called fats). As these molecules are vital for life, metabolic reactions either focus on making these molecules during the construction of cells and tissues, or on breaking them down and using them to obtain energy, by their digestion. These biochemicals can be joined to make polymers such as DNA and proteins, essential macromolecules of life.
| Type of molecule | Name of monomer forms | Name of polymer forms | Examples of polymer forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amino acids | Amino acids | Proteins (made of polypeptides) | Fibrous proteins and globular proteins |
| Carbohydrates | Monosaccharides | Polysaccharides | Starch, glycogen and cellulose |
| Nucleic acids | Nucleotides | Polynucleotides | DNA and RNA |