Biomolecules: The Intermolecular Forces

I. Introduction

Biomolecules are molecules necessary in the proper functioning of living

organisms that cause or carry out important reactions, such as in maintaining growth
and development of the human body. This type of molecules can be endogenous,
which may originate internally, or exogenous, which is the opposite of the other
(Suresh and Giribabu, 2019). Ishii and Yanagida (2005) also pointed that these
molecules gather into a molecular system or matrix, like cells, and that the functions
of these display the attributes of a biomolecule. Moreover, Cancer Quest (n.d.)
defined biomolecules as the building molecules of cells. Cells, which are said to have
similar features despite differences in purpose, are composed of four main molecule
types: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Though in this research, it
will focus more on lipids and nucleic acids.
The purpose of this research is to provide a concrete background for biomolecules
and to discuss the role of intermolecular forces in lipid structure and nucleic acid. In
addition, this research aims to further explain the notions to be mentioned while also
simplifying it at the same time.

II. Content

As introduced, cells are further broken down into four basic types which are
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid. In this section, the researcher will
discuss the intermolecular forces happening in lipids and nucleic acids. In this
research, four intermolecular forces will be included: dipole-dipole, ion-dipole,
hydrogen bonding, and dispersion force. Dipole-dipole happens when the partial
charge of the two molecules is attracted to each other. The ion-dipole happens, on the
other hand, when an ion interacts with a dipole. The hydrogen bonding occurs
because of the electromagnetic attraction of the hydrogen atoms. Lastly, dispersion
takes place when there is a weak attraction because of impermanent charged dipoles.
According to Ahmed et al. (2021), “Lipids are fatty, waxy, or oily compounds
that are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in polar solvents.” Examples include
oil, waxes, and steroids. To get to the point, an intermolecular force in lipids is
London dispersion forces (Libretexts, 2019). This force, as described by Purdue
(n.d.), is the weakest intermolecular force. It is when the electrons in two atoms near
each other fill up positions that make the atoms create impermanent dipoles or in
short, a temporary attractive force. The Rockfeller University (n.d.) also stated that it
is adverse for polar molecules to associate with non-polar molecules since the
temporary charges from the non-polar molecules, such as lipids, are not enough to
balance the sturdy segregation of the charges found on the polar molecules, such as
water. Simply put, lipids are hydrophobic. In contrast, polar molecules allow dipole-
 dipole interactions because of the limited charge on each end of the molecule. This
specific interaction lets the compound to dissolve when polar molecules are
positioned on a polar solvent between the solute and solvent. In our body, lipids are
important in storing energy, insulating, and making cell membranes.
In creating and commanding the cells, nucleic acids play a vital role in this in
which they contain the information required to operate. Under this are
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), which are polymers
(Cancer Quest, n.d.). The Rockfeller University (n.d.) also mentioned that this acid is
composed of three structures, namely sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base. The
DNA and RNA have both three same bases, namely adenine, guanine, and cytosine.
Their fourth bases, in contrary, now varies with each other. DNA has thymine as the
fourth base, while RNA has Uracil. The double-stranded nucleic acid, or DNA, is
attached by hydrogen bonds. This intermolecular force opens an opportunity for the
DNA to have the necessary information in doing its role as done in the interaction.
The A-T/U pair allots two hydrogen bonds, on the other hand, the G-C pair allots
three. RNA exists as a one strand and usually folds itself to form similarly to a three-
dimensional shape. It usually hops onto proteins when it does not fold itself so that
the hydrogen bonding areas are not bare.

III. Conclusion
Biomolecules have varied roles in regulating the overall functioning of the body.
When these biomolecules are put together, they make up an important part of the
body: the cell. As observed, this research focused on the intermolecular forces in
lipids and nucleic acids. This is due to the big differences between them. Lipids fall
under the category of dispersion force. From this, it can be deduced that they are the
opposite of dipole-dipole forces or ion-dipole forces wherein there is a strong
attraction force. In simple words, lipids have weak attraction forces. On contrary, the
nucleic acids are also the opposite of lipids. They have strong attraction force caused
by the bonding of hydrogen atoms. These specific attraction forces had led to
continue the purpose of these biomolecules. Lipids have made it possible to store
energy and the like because of it being nonpolar and due to forces. Nucleic acids also
can read and write information to pass them on and maintain its structure because of
the hydrogen bonds that keeps it together and the presence of the structural
components. Their differences became a bridge for them to cooperate and work
together. Thus, chemical bonding is important in regulating the stability of life.
Understanding these helps in grasping and applying the concept of chemical bonding
in our everyday lives.

IV. References
Suresh, R. & Giribabu, K. (2019). Biomolecule - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
Science Direct. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/biomolecule

The Biological Building Blocks. (n.d.). CancerQuest. Retrieved September 15, 2021,
from https://www.cancerquest.org/cancer-biology/biological-building-blocks

Ishii, Y., & Yanagida, T. (2005). Biomolecule - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/biomolecule

Lipid Background. (n.d.). RockEDU. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from

https://rockedu.rockefeller.edu/component/lipid-background/

Ahmed, S., Shah, P., & Ahmed, O. (2021, May 9). Biochemistry, Lipids. NCBI.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525952/

London Dispersion Forces. (n.d.). Purdue. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from
https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/disperse.html

What are lipids, oils and fats? (2021, September 15). BBC Bitesize.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf339j6/articles/zkhdqhv

Nucleic Acid Background. (n.d.). RockEDU. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from
https://rockedu.rockefeller.edu/component/nucleic-acid-background/

Intermolecular Forces | Boundless Chemistry. (n.d.). Lumen Learning. Retrieved

September 15, 2021, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
chemistry/chapter/intermolecular-forces/

Libretexts. (2020a, August 11). 2.12: Intermolecular Forces. Chemistry LibreTexts.

https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC
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