1. Carbohydrates: These provide energy and structural support. They are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Examples include sugars, starches, and cellulose.
2. Lipids (fats and oils): These provide long-term energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure. They are mainly composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but can also contain phosphorus.
3. Proteins: These perform a vast array of functions, including building tissues, catalyzing reactions (enzymes), transporting substances, and defending against pathogens. Proteins are made of chains of amino acids, which are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.
4. Nucleic acids: These carry genetic information and guide protein synthesis. They are made of nucleotides, which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The two main types are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
5. Water: This is essential for life and makes up a large percentage of most organisms. It acts as a solvent, transports substances, and helps regulate temperature.
These organic molecules are organized into cells, which are the fundamental units of life. Cells are surrounded by a membrane and contain structures called organelles that carry out specific functions.
In summary, living organisms are composed of complex organic molecules organized into cells, which are the basic building blocks of life.
