- All life on Earth shares a common chemistry. This provides indirect evidence for evolution.
- Despite their great variety, the cells of all living organisms contain only a few groups of carbon-based compounds that interact in similar ways.
- Carbohydrates are commonly used by cells as respiratory substrates. They also form structural components in plasma membranes and cell walls.
- Lipids have many uses, including the bilayer of plasma membranes, certain hormones and as respiratory substrates.
- Proteins form many cell structures. They are also important as enzymes, chemical messengers and components of the blood.
- Nucleic acids carry the genetic code for the production of proteins. The genetic code is common to viruses and to all living organisms, providing evidence for evolution.
- The most common component of cells is water; hence our search for life elsewhere in the universe involves a search for liquid water.
Source: AQA Spec
Included in this download
| Module | Title |
|---|---|
| 3.1.1 | Monomers and polymers |
| 3.1.2 | Carbohydrates |
| 3.1.3 | Lipids |
| 3.1.4 | Proteins |
| 3.1.5 | Nucleic acids |
| 3.1.6 | ATP |
| 3.1.7 | Water |
| 3.1.8 | Inorganic ions |