Biomolecules - Keele University

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Alanine 

One of 20 amino acids that make up protein 

www.keele.ac.uk/makeitmolecular 

Molly Cool and makeitmolecular designed by 

Graeme Jones, Keele University, UK. g.r.jones@keele.ac.uk 

What you will need: 

3 C Carbon (black) 

2 O Oxygen (red) 

1 N Nitrogen (light blue) 

7 H Hydrogen (white) 

4 ⁄ single bonds (straight) 

2 ∫ double bonds (bendy)

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Arginine 









2 N Nitrogen (dark blue) 




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Asparagine 













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Aspartic Acid 












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Cysteine 









1 S Sulphur (yellow, 2 holes) 




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Glutamic Acid 












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Glutamine 













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Glycine 

The smallest of the 20 amino acids that make up protein 











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Histidine 













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Isoleucine 












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Leucine 












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Lycine 












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Methionine 









1 S Sulphur (yellow, 2 holes) 




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Phenylalanine 












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Proline 












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Serine 












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Threonine 












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Tryptophan 













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Tyrosine 












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Valine 












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Glucose 

A type of sugar. Glucose tastes sweet and is the 

basic building block of carbohydrate 








12 ⁄ single bonds (straight)

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Galactose 

A type of sugar that is less sweet than glucose, 

one of the building blocks of carbohydrate 









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Fructose 

A type of sugar found in high levels in fruit, 

one of the building blocks of carbohydrate 









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Glycerol 

Forms the backbone of fat 

Binds to three fatty acids to form a triglyceride 









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α-Linolenic Acid 

An omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable oils, 

especially rapeseed oil 

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Linoleic Acid 

An omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils, 

especially sunflower oil 










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EPA 

Eicosapentaenoic acid 

An omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils 










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Vitamin A 

A vitamin important for eyesight, found in carrots 










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Vitamin B 2 

Also called riboflavin - needed for metabolism. 

It is found in milk and cheese 

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Vitamin B 3 

Also called niacin - needed for metabolism. 

It is found in chicken, fish and peanuts 











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Vitamin B 5 

Also called pantothenic acid - needed for metabolism. 

It is found in whole grain cereals, eggs and meat 











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Vitamin B 12 

Also called folic acid - needed to make red blood cells 

It is found in leafy vegetables such as spinach 

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Vitamin C 

Found in fresh fruit and vegetables, a deficiency of 

this vitamin causes scurvy in humans 










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Vitamin D 

Needed for strong bones, this vitamin is produced in 

skin exposed to sunlight 










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Adrenaline 

Chemical messenger released in excitement or danger 

– results in an “adrenaline rush” 











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GABA 

γ-Aminobutyric acid 

A chemical messenger in the brain 











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Dopamine 

A chemical messenger which gives feelings of 

enjoyment when released in the body 











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Serotonin 

A chemical messenger which contributes to the 

feeling of happiness 












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Histamine 

A chemical messenger which triggers an immune 

response – causing swelling and itching 











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Melatonin 

A hormone which helps control sleeping and feeding 

patterns in the body 











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ATP 

Adenosine triphosphate 

Transports chemical energy in the body 

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3 P Phosphorus (purple) 




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Adenine 

A DNA and RNA base 











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Cytosine 













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Guanine 













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Thymine 

A DNA base 











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Uracil 

A RNA base 











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Ribose & Phosphate 

The backbone of RNA 











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Deoxyribose & 

Phosphate 

The backbone of DNA 











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Haem 

Binds an iron atom at its centre and 

transports oxygen around the body 












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Cholesterol 

A waxy molecule (steroid) needed in cell membranes 

Abnormally high blood levels can lead to heart disease 

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Biomolecules - Keele University

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