This document discusses the four main types of carbon compounds found in living things: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It provides details on each type, including that carbohydrates like starch are used by plant cells to store energy, lipids such as fats are used by cells to store long-term energy, proteins are made of amino acids, and nucleic acids like DNA contain the genetic information cells need to produce proteins.

1. 4.2 Carbon compounds and cells Carbon compounds in living things include: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

3. 4.2 Carbohydrates, fats and proteins Carbohydrates are energy-rich compounds made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Cells use carbohydrates to get and store energy. Carbohydrates are also called sugars or starches.

4. 4.2 Carbohydrates Plant cells store energy as starch. Rice, potatoes, and wheat are plant starches.

5. 4.2 Lipids Lipids are made by cells to store energy for long periods of time. Lipids include fats, oils, and waxes. Can you think of examples of lipids in plants or animals?

6. 4.2 Proteins Proteins are very large molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. Protein molecules are made of smaller molecules called amino acids .

7. 4.2 Nucleic acids Nucleic acids are compounds made of long, repeating chains called nucleotides. DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the information cells need to make all of their proteins.

8. 4.2 DNA Some scientists refer to DNA as the “blueprints” for life. What is a blueprint and why might scientists use this “analogy”?