Cambridge AS & A Level Biology

2.2Carbohydrates and lipids

Carbohydrates and lipids in Cambridge AS & A Level Biology: what the syllabus expects you to know, the learning objectives and how to practise.

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Learning objectives

What the syllabus expects you to be able to do.

2.2.1Describe and draw the ring forms of alpha- and beta-glucose.
2.2.2Define monomer, polymer, macromolecule, monosaccharide, disaccharide and polysaccharide.
2.2.3State that covalent bonds join smaller molecules into polymers.
2.2.4State that glucose, fructose and maltose are reducing sugars and sucrose is not.
2.2.5Describe how condensation forms glycosidic bonds in disaccharides (including sucrose) and polysaccharides.
2.2.6Describe the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds, linked to the non-reducing sugar test.
2.2.7Describe the structures of starch (amylose and amylopectin) and glycogen and relate them to their functions.
2.2.8Describe the structure of cellulose and how the arrangement of its molecules gives cell walls their function.
2.2.9Describe triglycerides as non-polar, hydrophobic molecules made from glycerol and saturated or unsaturated fatty acids joined by ester bonds.
2.2.10Relate the structure of triglycerides to their functions.
2.2.11Describe phospholipids with hydrophilic phosphate heads and hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

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