Biomolecules - Summary

• Biomolecules are the essential organic molecules found in living organisms
• They are classified into four major types: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
• These biomolecules perform various functions and are crucial for the survival and functioning of living organisms
• Understanding the structure and properties of biomolecules is important in the study of biochemistry
• Let’s take a closer look at each type of biomolecule and discuss their importance and characteristics

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Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
• They are the main source of energy for living organisms
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose
• Disaccharides, like sucrose and lactose, are formed by joining two monosaccharides together
• Polysaccharides, such as starch and cellulose, consist of many monosaccharide units joined together

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Proteins

• Proteins are large biomolecules composed of amino acids
• They have a wide range of functions, including enzymes, structural components, and transportation
• Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form polypeptides
• The primary structure of a protein is determined by the sequence of amino acids
• Proteins can have complex structures, including secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

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Lipids

• Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that serve as energy storage and structural components
• They are composed of glycerol and fatty acids
• Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid, which consist of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule
• Phospholipids are a major component of cell membranes
• Steroids, such as cholesterol, play important roles in hormone synthesis and cell signaling

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Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids are biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information
• There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in all living organisms
• RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in protein synthesis and other cellular processes
• Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base

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Biomolecules in Cellular Processes

• Carbohydrates are broken down in cellular respiration to produce ATP, the main energy currency of cells
• Proteins are involved in enzymatic reactions, cell signaling, and structural support
• Lipids play a crucial role in maintaining cell membranes and storing energy for long-term use
• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information necessary for protein synthesis and cellular processes
• All these biomolecules work together to ensure the proper functioning of cells and organisms

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Importance of Biomolecules

• Biomolecules are the building blocks of life and are essential for the existence of all living organisms
• Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins perform various functions, lipids maintain cell structure, and nucleic acids store genetic information
• Understanding the properties and functions of biomolecules is crucial in the fields of medicine, genetics, and biochemistry
• The study of biomolecules helps in understanding the mechanisms of diseases and developing new treatments
• Overall, biomolecules are the foundation of life and play a vital role in maintaining and regulating biological processes

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Summary

• Biomolecules are organic compounds found in living organisms
• Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins perform functions, lipids maintain structure, and nucleic acids store genetic information
• Understanding biomolecules is essential in the fields of medicine, genetics, and biochemistry
• The study of biomolecules aids in understanding diseases and developing treatments
• Biomolecules are fundamental to life and are involved in various biological processes

11. Carbohydrates:

• Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
• They are classified into three categories: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates and cannot be hydrolyzed further (e.g., glucose, fructose)
• Disaccharides are formed by the condensation reaction between two monosaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose)
• Polysaccharides consist of long chains of monosaccharide units (e.g., starch, cellulose)

12. Functions of Carbohydrates:

• Providing energy: Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for living organisms
• Energy storage: Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in animals and as starch in plants
• Structural support: Carbohydrates, like cellulose, provide rigidity to plant cell walls
• Cell recognition: Carbohydrates on cell membranes are involved in cell signaling and recognition
• Dietary fiber: Certain carbohydrates, like cellulose and pectin, are known as dietary fiber and aid in digestion

13. Proteins:

• Proteins are large biomolecules composed of amino acids
• Amino acids are connected by peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains
• There are 20 different amino acids, each with a unique side chain
• Proteins have a diverse range of functions, including enzymatic catalysis, structural support, and transportation
• Examples of proteins include enzymes, antibodies, and collagen

14. Protein Structure:

• Primary structure: The sequence of amino acids in a protein chain
• Secondary structure: Local folding patterns in a protein, including alpha helices and beta sheets
• Tertiary structure: Overall three-dimensional arrangement of the protein
• Quaternary structure: Arrangement of multiple protein subunits, if applicable
• Protein structure determines its function and can be influenced by factors like pH and temperature

15. Lipids:

• Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in water
• They are composed of glycerol and fatty acids
• Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid, consisting of three fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol molecule
• Phospholipids are major components of cell membranes
• Lipids can function as energy storage molecules and act as signaling molecules (e.g., steroids)

16. Types of Lipids:

• Saturated fatty acids: No double bonds between carbon atoms, solid at room temperature (e.g., butter)
• Unsaturated fatty acids: Double bonds between carbon atoms, liquid at room temperature (e.g., vegetable oil)
• Phospholipids: Consist of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, form lipid bilayers in cell membranes
• Steroids: Lipids with a common four-ring structure, involved in hormone synthesis and cell signaling

17. Nucleic Acids:

• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information in living organisms
• There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
• Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids and consist of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base
• DNA contains the genetic code that determines the traits and characteristics of an organism
• RNA plays a vital role in protein synthesis and gene expression

18. DNA Structure:

• DNA is a double-stranded helical structure
• It consists of two complementary strands held together by hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous bases
• The four nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)
• The base pairing rules are A-T and C-G
• The structure of DNA allows for the precise copying and transmission of genetic information during cell division

19. RNA Types:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis
• Transfer RNA (tRNA): Transfers amino acids to the ribosomes based on the mRNA sequence
• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Major component of ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis
• RNA can also have regulatory functions, like microRNA (miRNA) involved in gene expression control

20. Role of Biomolecules in Cellular Processes:

• Carbohydrates provide energy for cellular activities through cellular respiration
• Proteins function as enzymes, catalysts for chemical reactions in cells
• Lipids maintain the integrity of cell membranes and act as an energy source
• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information necessary for protein synthesis and cell functions
• Understanding how biomolecules interact and function in cellular processes is crucial in understanding the complexity of life.

Slide 21:

• Carbohydrates are classified into three categories: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates and cannot be hydrolyzed further
• Examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose
• Disaccharides are formed by the condensation reaction between two monosaccharides
• Examples of disaccharides include sucrose, lactose, and maltose

Slide 22:

• Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units
• Starch is a polysaccharide found in plants and serves as an energy storage molecule
• Glycogen is a highly branched polysaccharide found in animals, stored in the liver and muscles
• Cellulose is a polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls
• Chitin is a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi

Slide 23:

• Proteins are large biomolecules composed of amino acids
• There are 20 different amino acids, each with a unique side chain
• Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form polypeptides
• The sequence of amino acids determines the primary structure of a protein
• The primary structure influences the folding and overall structure of the protein

Slide 24:

• Proteins have a diverse range of functions in living organisms
• Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions and regulate metabolism
• Antibodies are proteins that recognize and neutralize foreign substances in the body
• Structural proteins like collagen provide support to tissues and organs
• Transport proteins, such as hemoglobin, carry molecules and ions across cell membranes

Slide 25:

• Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in water
• They play a crucial role in energy storage and cell membrane structure
• Triglycerides, composed of glycerol and fatty acids, are the most common type of lipid
• Phospholipids have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails, forming bilayers in cell membranes
• Steroids, such as cholesterol, are lipids involved in hormone synthesis and cell signaling

Slide 26:

• Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms and are solid at room temperature
• Examples include butter and animal fats
• Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds between carbon atoms and are liquid at room temperature
• Examples include vegetable oils and fish oils
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple double bonds and are beneficial for health

Slide 27:

• Steroids are lipids with a common four-ring structure
• Cholesterol is a type of steroid found in cell membranes and is a precursor for steroid hormone synthesis
• Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol are derived from cholesterol
• Steroids are involved in various physiological processes, including reproductive function and stress response

Slide 28:

• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information in living organisms
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in all living organisms
• DNA is a double-stranded helical structure, formed by complementary base pairing
• The four nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine
• RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in protein synthesis and other cellular processes

Slide 29:

• Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids
• Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogenous base
• The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while RNA contains ribose
• The nitrogenous bases in RNA are adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine
• Nucleotides are linked together through phosphodiester bonds to form nucleic acid chains

Slide 30:

• Biomolecules are vital for the proper functioning and survival of living organisms
• Carbohydrates provide energy for cellular processes and structural support
• Proteins perform various functions, including enzymatic reactions and structural support
• Lipids maintain cell membrane integrity and serve as energy storage molecules
• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information necessary for protein synthesis and cell function

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