Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Biomolecules - Introduction to Biomolecules
Biomolecules are the organic compounds found in living organisms.
They are essential for the proper functioning and survival of living beings.
Biomolecules are composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
The four main classes of biomolecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Carbohydrates are important sources of energy and include sugars, starches, and cellulose.
Proteins are involved in various cellular functions and are composed of amino acids.
Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that include fats, oils, and phospholipids.
Nucleic acids are responsible for storing genetic information and include DNA and RNA.
Biomolecules are interconnected and play important roles in the functioning of organisms.
Understanding biomolecules is crucial for understanding the biochemistry of living organisms.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
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 form of carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides are formed by joining two monosaccharides through a glycosidic bond, such as sucrose and lactose.
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharide units, such as starch and cellulose.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Proteins
Proteins are large, complex molecules composed of amino acids.
They have various functions in living organisms, including enzymes, structural components, and antibodies.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are connected by peptide bonds.
Proteins have a unique three-dimensional structure, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.
Examples of proteins include hemoglobin, insulin, and collagen.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Lipids
Lipids are hydrophobic organic molecules that are insoluble in water.
They have various roles in living organisms, such as energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure.
Fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids, and they can be saturated or unsaturated.
Triglycerides are the most common form of lipid storage in organisms.
Other types of lipids include phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are the genetic material of living organisms and play a crucial role in protein synthesis.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are the two main types of nucleic acids.
DNA carries genetic information and is responsible for the inheritance of traits.
RNA is involved in protein synthesis and other cellular functions.
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids and consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Carbohydrate Functions
Carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source for all organisms.
They provide quick and readily available energy through the process of cellular respiration.
Carbohydrates also play a role in cell adhesion and recognition.
Some carbohydrates function as structural components, such as cellulose in plant cell walls.
Dietary fibers, which are complex carbohydrates, promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Protein Functions
Proteins have diverse functions in living organisms.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in cells.
Structural proteins, such as collagen and keratin, provide support to tissues and organs.
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight against foreign substances.
Transport proteins, like hemoglobin, transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Lipid Functions
Lipids serve as a concentrated source of energy in living organisms.
They play a significant role in energy storage, providing more energy per gram than carbohydrates or proteins.
Lipids are a vital component of cell membranes, maintaining their structure and integrity.
Some lipids serve as insulation and protection, such as adipose tissue under the skin.
Lipids are also involved in hormone production and signaling.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Nucleic Acid Functions
Nucleic acids store, transmit, and express genetic information in living organisms.
DNA carries the instructions for building and maintaining an organism’s structure and function.
RNA is involved in protein synthesis, where it transfers and translates the genetic code.
Nucleic acids play a crucial role in the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.
They are also involved in regulating gene expression and cell signaling processes.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Carbohydrate Examples
Glucose is a monosaccharide and is the primary source of energy for most organisms.
Fructose is a monosaccharide found in fruits and is sweeter than glucose.
Sucrose is a disaccharide formed by combining glucose and fructose and is commonly known as table sugar.
Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk and is broken down by the enzyme lactase.
Starch and glycogen are polysaccharides that serve as energy storage in plants and animals, respectively.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Protein Examples
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells and transports oxygen throughout the body.
Insulin is a hormone protein that regulates blood sugar levels.
Collagen is a structural protein found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues.
Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to target and destroy foreign substances.
Enzymes, such as amylase and pepsin, are protein catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Lipid Examples
Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid found in our body and are involved in energy storage.
Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes, forming a lipid bilayer.
Steroids, such as cholesterol, are lipid molecules that have various functions in the body.
Fats and oils are examples of lipids used as a source of energy in the diet.
Waxes are lipids that provide waterproofing and protection in plants and animals.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Nucleic Acid Examples
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double-stranded nucleic acid that stores genetic information.
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a single-stranded nucleic acid that is involved in protein synthesis and other cellular processes.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a nucleotide that serves as the primary energy carrier in cells.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes in protein synthesis.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) transfers amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Carbohydrate Structure
Carbohydrates have a general formula of (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of carbon atoms.
Monosaccharides have a linear or ring structure, depending on the number of carbon atoms.
In glucose, a hexose sugar, the linear structure can form a ring structure through an intramolecular reaction.
The ring structure can exist in two forms
: alpha and beta, depending on the position of the hydroxyl group.
Disaccharides and polysaccharides are formed by linking monosaccharides through glycosidic bonds.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Protein Structure
Proteins have a hierarchical structure with primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary levels.
The primary structure is the sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Secondary structures include alpha-helices and beta-sheets, which are formed by hydrogen bonding.
Tertiary structure is the overall 3D shape of a protein, determined by interactions between amino acid side chains.
Quaternary structure occurs when multiple protein subunits come together to form a functional protein.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Lipid Structure
Lipids are composed of glycerol and fatty acids.
Fatty acids have a carboxyl group at one end and a hydrocarbon chain at the other.
Saturated fatty acids have single bonds between carbon atoms and are solid at room temperature.
Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms and are liquid at room temperature.
Phospholipids have two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group, making them amphipathic.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Nucleic Acid Structure
Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides.
Nucleotides consist of a sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine/uracil).
DNA is a double helix structure, with two antiparallel strands held together by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases.
RNA is usually single-stranded, but it can fold into various secondary structures.
The base pairing rules for DNA are adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine, while in RNA, adenine pairs with uracil.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Carbohydrate Reactions
Carbohydrates undergo various chemical reactions, such as oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis.
Mono- and disaccharides can undergo fermentation, producing ethanol or lactic acid.
Carbohydrates can form glycosidic bonds with alcohols, forming glycosides.
Under acidic conditions, monosaccharides can undergo mutarotation, interconverting alpha and beta forms.
Carbohydrates can also undergo condensation reactions to form larger polysaccharides.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Protein Reactions
Proteins undergo various reactions, including denaturation, hydrolysis, and oxidation.
Denaturation occurs when a protein loses its structure and function due to factors like temperature, pH, or chemicals.
Proteins can be hydrolyzed by enzymes or acids to break peptide bonds and release individual amino acids.
Proteins can undergo oxidation by reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage.
Proteins can also undergo post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation or glycosylation.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Lipid Reactions
Lipids can undergo reactions like hydrolysis, saponification, and esterification.
Hydrolysis of lipids breaks the ester bond between the glycerol and fatty acids, releasing fatty acids and glycerol.
Saponification is a reaction between lipids and bases, forming soap molecules.
Esterification involves the reaction of fatty acids with alcohols to form esters.
Lipids can also undergo oxidation reactions, leading to the formation of rancid odors and flavors.
Biomolecules Introduction To Biomolecules
Nucleic Acid Reactions
Nucleic acids can undergo various reactions, including replication, transcription, and translation.
Replication is the process of DNA synthesis, where each strand serves as a template to create a complementary strand.
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, producing mRNA, tRNA, or rRNA.
Translation is the process of protein synthesis, where mRNA is translated into an amino acid sequence by ribosomes and tRNA.
Nucleic acids can also undergo mutation, which is a change in the genetic sequence.