1. Carboidrati: These molecules are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They provide energy for living organisms and are found in foods like bread, pasta, and fruit. Gli esempi includono glucosio, amido e cellulosa.
2. Lipidi: Si tratta di grassi, oli e cere composti principalmente da carbonio, idrogeno e ossigeno, ma spesso contengono una percentuale minore di ossigeno rispetto ai carboidrati. They are important for energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure. Examples include triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol.
3. Proteine: These are large, complex molecules made up of amino acids. Svolgono molti ruoli vitali nel corpo, tra cui la costruzione e la riparazione dei tessuti, il trasporto di sostanze e la lotta alle infezioni. Examples include enzymes, antibodies, and hormones.
4. Acidi nucleici: These are complex molecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information. They are made up of nucleotides, which are composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. Gli esempi includono DNA e RNA.