MAJOR MOLECULES

OF LIFE
▪ The four major classes of molecules are carbohydrates, protein, fat and
nucleic acids.

▪ They are made up of relatively small micro molecules called monomers

that are linked together to create large macromolecules, which are known
as polymers.

▪ When monomers are linked together to synthesize a biological polymer,

they undergo a process called synthesis.
 FUNCTIONS OF MACROMOLECULES
The major functions of macro molecules are

1. To provide materials for growth and repair of tissues in order to provide and maintain
the basic structure of our bodies.

2. To supply the body with energy required to perform external and internal activities

3. To provide materials which regulate the functions of the body.

4. To store and decode genetic information

5. To perform structural and catalytic roles in cells

 CARBOHYDRATES
▪ Carbohydrates are the most widely distributed and abundant organic compound on earth.
They play an important role in the metabolism of animals and plant.

▪ Carbohydrate biosynthesis in plants starting from carbon dioxide and water with the help
of light energy (Photosynthesis) is the basis for the existence of all other organisms which
depend on the intake of organic substances with food.

▪ Functions: They are the major source of biological energy through their oxidation in the
tissues.

▪ They also furnish organic precursors for the biosynthesis of many cell components.
▪ Sources: Carbohydrate rich foods are abundant and cheap compared with
fats and protein.

▪ Food carbohydrates are starches and sugars found in cereal grains, tubers,
vegetables, legumes, fruits, milk and milk products. Fructose is present in
honey. Fiber, consisting largely of cellulose and other non digestible cell-
wall polymers of plant origin plays no metabolic role but helps to maintain
proper motility in the intestinal tract.
 LIPIDS
▪ Lipids refer to substances such as fats and oils and fat like substances present in
food. They are another group of major molecules found in all cells. Lipids exhibit
greater structural variety than the other classes of biological molecules.

▪ Functions: In the form of lipid bilayers they are essential components of biological
membranes. Lipids containing hydrocarbon chains serve as energy stores. Many
intra-and intercellular signaling events involve lipid molecules. In addition to
triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids provide structure to the body cells.
▪ Sources: Important animal sources of fat are meat, milk, eggs and fish and
important plant sources are all oils and vanaspathy. Fats from animal sources are
relatively rich in saturated fatty acids but contain a low content of
polyunsaturated acids. Plant fats and fish are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Cholesterol is present in significant amounts in animal products, such as egg yolk,
butterfat, and meat. It is absent in plant foods
 PROTEINS
▪ Proteins are the most abundant substances in all cells forming about 50% of a
cell's over all mass. A protein is an unbranched polymer of amino acids.

▪ Functions: Proteins supply the required amino acids as building blocks for protein
biosynthesis. Amino acids are precursors of other nitrogen containing substances
such as enzymes, hormones, porphyrins, and many other biomolecules.
▪ Oxidation of the carbon skeletons of amino acids also furnishes significant
fraction of the total daily energy requirement. They also contribute to the flavour
of food and are precursors of aroma compounds and colors formed during thermal
or enzymatic reactions in production, processing and storage of food.

▪ Sources: Meat, fish, milk, egg, pulses, beans and peas are important sources of
protein.
 NUCLEIC ACIDS
▪ Nucleic acids are polymers composed of nucleotide monomers. The Nucleotides are made up of a five-
carbon sugar, a heterocyclic nitrogenous base and phosphate group(s).

▪ They are joined to one another by covalent bonds between the phosphate of one and the sugar of another.
These linkages are called phosphodiester linkages.

▪ There are two types of nucleic acids found within cells: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic
acid(RNA).

▪
▪ Nearly all the DNA is found within the cell nucleus. It is repository of hereditary
character. RNA occurs in all parts of a cell. It is essentially required for protein
biosynthesis.

▪ Function The primary function of DNA is the storage and transfer of genetic
information. This information is used (indirectly) to control many functions of a living
cell.

▪ In addition, DNA is passed from existing cells to new cells during cell division.

▪ RNA functions primarily in the synthesis of proteins, the molecules that carry out
essential cellular functions.