General

Biology 1

Biological Molecules
Week 16
 Lesson Objectives

● Describe the four major types of biological molecules;

● Categorize the biomolecules according to their
structure and function; and
● Explain the role of each biological molecule in specific
metabolic processes.
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Proteins
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Proteins are made up of many building blocks, known as

amino acids. Our body needs dietary protein to supply
amino acids for the growth and maintenance of our cells and
tissues. They help in metabolism by providing structural
support and by acting as enzymes, carriers, or hormones.
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1. Simple proteins- on hydrolysis they yield only the amino acids

and occasional small carbohydrate compounds. Examples are:
albumins, globulins, glutelins, albuminoids, histones and
protamines

2. Conjugated proteins- these are simple proteins combined with

some non-protein material in the body. Examples are:
nucleoproteins, glycoproteins, phosphoproteins, haemoglobins
and lecithoproteins
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3. Derived proteins- these are proteins derived from

simple or conjugated proteins by physical or chemical
means.

Examples:
denatured proteins and peptides
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 General Biology 1

Nucleic Acid
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Nucleic acids are molecules that allow organisms to transfer genetic

information from one generation to the next. These macromolecules
store the genetic information that determines traits and makes protein
synthesis possible.
Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotide monomers linked together.
Nucleotides have three parts:
● A Nitrogenous Base
● A Five-Carbon (Pentose) Sugar
● A Phosphate Group
General Biology 1
 General Biology 1

Nucleic acid is an important class of macromolecules found in all

cells and viruses. The functions of nucleic acids have to do with
the storage and expression of genetic information.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encodes the information the cell

needs to make proteins. A related type of nucleic acid, called
ribonucleic acid (RNA), comes in different molecular forms that
participate in protein synthesis.
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DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the
genetic instructions for the development and function of living
things.
The main role of DNA in the cell is the long-term storage of
information. It is often compared to a blueprint, since it
contains the instructions to construct other components of the
cell, such as proteins and RNA molecules.
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The DNA segments that carry genetic information are called genes,
but other DNA sequences have structural purposes or are involved in
regulating the expression of genetic information. In eukaryotes such
as animals and plants, DNA is stored inside the cell nucleus, while in
prokaryotes such as bacteria and archaea, the DNA is in the cell's
cytoplasm.

Four different nucleotide bases occur in DNA:

Adenine (A), Cytosine ©, Guanine (G), and Thymine(T).
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RNA
Ribonucleic acid gets its name from the sugar group in the
molecule’s backbone – ribose. Like DNA, RNA has a sugar-phosphate
backbone with nucleotide bases attached to it; Adenine (A),
Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G); however, RNA does not contain
Thymine, instead, RNA’s fourth nucleotide is Uracil (U).
RNA is a single-stranded molecule that is important in the
production of proteins in living organisms.
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 General Biology 1

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