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Similar to carbohydrates and lipids, proteins are made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. However, all proteins also contain the element nitrogen and several proteins contain the mineral sulfur. The nitrogen in proteins is in a special form that can be readily used by our bodies for vital functions. Together, these elements form various amino acids, which serve as the building blocks for protein synthesis….
The carbohydrate group includes sugar, starch, and fiber. Most forms of carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Plants are the main source of carbohydrates. During photosynthesis, plants produce glucose by using carbon and oxygen from carbon dioxide in the air, hydrogen from the water, and energy from the sun. Plant either store the glucose or transform it into starch, fiber, fat, or protein….
The word lipid probably makes you think of butter, olive oil, margarine or lard. We usually refer to lipids simply as fats and oils. However, the lipid family includes more than that; it includes triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Although their structures and functions differ, they all contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and none of them dissolve in water. However, they all dissolve in organic solvents, such as chloroform, benzene, and ether….
