Cell Requirements

Organic compounds are molecules that contain carbon and are found in living organisms. They are essential for various cellular functions.

• Carbohydrates: Serve as a primary energy source and are involved in cell structure (e.g., glucose, cellulose).
• Lipids: Store energy, form cell membranes, and act as signaling molecules (e.g., fats, phospholipids).
• Proteins: Perform a wide range of functions, including catalysis (enzymes), structure (collagen), and transport (hemoglobin).
• Nucleic Acids: Store and transmit genetic information (e.g., DNA, RNA).
• Vitamins: Organic molecules that act as coenzymes or precursors for coenzymes, facilitating enzymatic reactions.

Inorganic compounds, such as water and minerals, are crucial for various biochemical processes within cells. They do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

• Water: The most abundant molecule in cells, vital for maintaining structure, temperature, and facilitating chemical reactions.
• Oxygen: Essential for cellular respiration, allowing cells to extract energy from organic molecules.
• Carbon Dioxide: A byproduct of respiration, also used by plants in photosynthesis to produce glucose.
• Minerals: Inorganic elements required in small amounts for various cellular functions (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium).