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9 Dec 2025

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Biological Molecules - WJEC Mindmap Study Notes

P

peg22863774 @peg22863774_fdvl

Ever wondered what makes up all living things at the molecular level? Biological moleculesare the essential building... Show more

Polysaccharides
• Polysaccharides are formed from many glucose units joined together and
include: Glycogen and starch which are both formed

Carbohydrates and Water - Life's Essential Fuel and Solvent

Carbohydrates are your body's preferred energy source, made entirely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They come in three main types that you need to know inside out.

Monosaccharides are the simplest sugars - think of them as single building blocks. Glucose (with its alpha and beta forms) is the most important one since it's what your cells actually use for energy during respiration. Ribose is crucial too as it forms part of DNA and RNA structure.

When two monosaccharides join together, you get disaccharides like maltose (two glucose molecules), sucrose glucose+fructoseglucose + fructose, and lactose glucose+galactoseglucose + galactose. These form through condensation reactions where water is removed.

Polysaccharides are the heavy-duty storage and structural molecules. Glycogen stores energy in animals with lots of branches for quick energy release. Starch does the same job in plants, existing as unbranched amylose (compact storage) and branched amylopectin (rapid digestion). Cellulose provides plant structure using beta glucose chains, whilst chitin forms insect exoskeletons.

Key Exam Tip Remember that alpha glucose forms storage molecules (glycogen, starch) whilst beta glucose forms structural ones (cellulose, chitin).

Water deserves special attention because it's polar, meaning uneven charge distribution creates hydrogen bonding. This gives water amazing properties high specific heat capacity (temperature buffer), high latent heat of vaporisation (cooling through evaporation), and strong cohesion (enabling water transport in plants).

Polysaccharides
• Polysaccharides are formed from many glucose units joined together and
include: Glycogen and starch which are both formed

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Biology

222

9 Dec 2025

2 pages

Biological Molecules - WJEC Mindmap Study Notes

P

peg22863774

@peg22863774_fdvl

Ever wondered what makes up all living things at the molecular level? Biological moleculesare the essential building blocks of life - from the carbohydrates that fuel your body to the proteins that build your muscles. Understanding these molecules is... Show more

Polysaccharides
• Polysaccharides are formed from many glucose units joined together and
include: Glycogen and starch which are both formed

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Carbohydrates and Water - Life's Essential Fuel and Solvent

Carbohydrates are your body's preferred energy source, made entirely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They come in three main types that you need to know inside out.

Monosaccharides are the simplest sugars - think of them as single building blocks. Glucose (with its alpha and beta forms) is the most important one since it's what your cells actually use for energy during respiration. Ribose is crucial too as it forms part of DNA and RNA structure.

When two monosaccharides join together, you get disaccharides like maltose (two glucose molecules), sucrose glucose+fructoseglucose + fructose, and lactose glucose+galactoseglucose + galactose. These form through condensation reactions where water is removed.

Polysaccharides are the heavy-duty storage and structural molecules. Glycogen stores energy in animals with lots of branches for quick energy release. Starch does the same job in plants, existing as unbranched amylose (compact storage) and branched amylopectin (rapid digestion). Cellulose provides plant structure using beta glucose chains, whilst chitin forms insect exoskeletons.

Key Exam Tip: Remember that alpha glucose forms storage molecules (glycogen, starch) whilst beta glucose forms structural ones (cellulose, chitin).

Water deserves special attention because it's polar, meaning uneven charge distribution creates hydrogen bonding. This gives water amazing properties: high specific heat capacity (temperature buffer), high latent heat of vaporisation (cooling through evaporation), and strong cohesion (enabling water transport in plants).

Polysaccharides
• Polysaccharides are formed from many glucose units joined together and
include: Glycogen and starch which are both formed

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

7

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Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

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Quiz
Flashcards
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Similar content

Understanding Monosaccharides

Explore the structure and function of monosaccharides, including glucose and fructose. This summary covers key concepts such as chemical formulas, isomerism, and the role of sugars in biological processes. Ideal for AS Level Biology students preparing for exams.

BiologyBiology
13

Understanding Lipids and Carbohydrates

Explore the essential roles of lipids and carbohydrates in biological systems. This summary covers the structure and function of triglycerides, phospholipids, sterols, and the significance of glucose and polysaccharides. Key concepts include lipid formation, esterification, and the properties of water. Ideal for students studying biological molecules and their interactions.

BiologyBiology
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Biological molecules -carbohydrates

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Biochemistry: Organic Molecules Overview

Explore the fundamentals of biochemistry with a focus on organic molecules, including carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides), proteins (structure and functions), and lipids (fats and oils). This summary provides essential insights into the roles of these biomolecules in biological systems, ideal for A Level Biology students.

BiologyBiology
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Carbohydrates A Level Biology AQA

A level biology AQA Carbohydrates Topic 1A notes

BiologyBiology
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Carbohydrates

Paper 1. What are monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides and their structures? What are isomers of glucose? Give examples with their structure and function. How to test for reducing and non-reducing sugars? What is the test for starch?

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Most popular content in Biology

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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

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Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

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David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user