MODULE 1

“A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life

that is responsible for all of life's processes.”

Functions of Cell
 Provides Support and Structure
 Facilitate Growth Mitosis
 Allows Transport of Substances
 Energy Production
 Aids in Reproduction
Cell Structure
 Cell Wall
 Cell Membrane
 Cytoplasm
 Nucleus
 Cell Organelles
Cell Organelles and their Functions
 Nucleolus
 Nuclear membrane
 Chromosomes
 Endoplasmic reticulum
 Golgi Bodies
 Ribosome
 Mitochondria
 Lysosomes
 Chloroplast
 Vacuoles
 BIOMOLECULES AND
THEIR APPLICATIONs
 BIOMOLECULES
What is a biomolecule?
Biomolecule, also called biological molecule,
are chemical compounds produced by the cells of living
organism.

• Biomolecules have a wide range of sizes and structures

and perform a vast array of functions.
• The four major types of biomolecules are
carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
There are three main types of carbohydrates

• Sugars: They are also called simple carbohydrates because they are in the most
basic form. They can be added to foods, such as the sugar in candy, desserts,
processed foods, and regular soda. They also include the kinds of sugar that are
found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and milk.

• Starches. They are complex carbohydrates, which are made of lots of simple sugars
strung together. Your body needs to break starches down into sugars to use them
for energy. Starches include bread, cereal, and pasta. They also include certain
vegetables, like potatoes, peas, and corn.

• Fiber. It is also a complex carbohydrate. Your body cannot break down most fibers,
so eating foods with fiber can help you feel full and make you less likely to overeat.
Diets high in fiber have other health benefits. They may help prevent stomach or
intestinal problems, such as constipation. They may also help lower cholesterol
and blood sugar. Fiber is found in many foods that come from plants, including
fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains.

• Just like starches, cellulose is another best example for carbohydrates.

CARBOHYDRATES:
What are carbohydrates?
• Carbohydrates, or carbs, are sugar molecules. Along with
proteins and fats, carbohydrates are one of three main
nutrients found in foods and drinks. Body breaks down
carbohydrates into glucose.

• Glucose, or blood sugar, is the main source of energy for

your body's cells , tissues, and organs. Glucose can be used
immediately or stored in the liver and muscles for later use.
• Cellulose: a complex carbohydrate, or polysaccharide,
consisting of 3,000 or more glucose units.

• It is extremely abundant, easily renewable, and

biodegradable. cellulose is insoluble in water, and is
difficult to dissolve with common organic solvents.
Cellulose
 Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on
earth with a chemical formula (C6H10O5)n.
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate consisting of oxygen,
carbon, and hydrogen

Properties of Cellulose – (C6H10O5)n

 Cellulose is odorless
 Insoluble in water and most organic solvents
 It is biodegradable
 Chiral.

(C6H10O5)n Cellulose
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 162.1406 g/mol
Density 1.5 g/cm³
Appears White powder
Melting Point 260–270 °C
• Structure of Cellulose– (C6H10O5)n
 Uses of Cellulose (C6H10O5)n

• It is used in the diet as a fiber supplement

• It is used to produce paperboard and paper products
• It helps as an additive in various food items
• It is used in the production of rayon
• It is used as a preservative in cheese as it plays the
role of an anti-clumping agent
• It is used in making explosives
• It is used in the manufacturing of nitrocellulose
NUCLEIC ACIDS
RNA
 Nucleic acid
• Nucleic acids are biomolecules that are essential for life as they carry
genetic information in all living organism.
• They are two types of nucleic acid:
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
• DNA is a double stranded helix stores genetic information in the form
of sequence nucleotide bases: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine
• RNA is single stranded molecule that involved in protein synthesis.
three types of RNA: messenger RNA
transfer RNA
ribosomal RNA
• Both RNA DNA made up of nucleotides, which consist of sugar
molecule, phosphate group and nitrogenous base.
PROTEINS
 Proteins
• Proteins a large biomolecule that are essential for the structure, function, and
regulation of cells tissues and organs in living organisms.
• Proteins have wide range of functions in the body:
• Structural support: protein such as collagen, elastin and keratin provide
strength and elasticity to tissues such as skin, hair and nails.

• Enzymatic catalyst: enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions

in body by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

• Transport: proteins such as haemoglobin, oxygen nutrient and hormones

throughout the body.

• Immune defense: antibodies are proteins that recognize and neutralize

foreign invaders such as bacterial and viruses.

• Regulation: Hormones such as insulin and growth hormones are proteins

that regulate physiological processes such as metabolism and growth.

• Movement: proteins such as myosin and actin are responsible for the
contraction of muscle fibres.
 Proteins as food

• Proteins are essential macronutrient that is important for building and

repairing tissues. It is necessary for production of enzymes, hormones
and other molecules that are involved in metabolic process.

• Proteins are found in wide range of foods like meat, poultry, fish,
eggs, nuts and seeds.

• Proteins are important for maintaining bone health and for supporting
the immune system.
 Lipids
• Lipids are fatty acids or derivatives of fatty
acids, which are insoluble in water but
soluble in organic solvents Eg: Natural Oil,
Waxes, Steroids
 Importance of lipids
• Structural component of the cell membrane
• Provides energy
• Produces hormones in our body
• Helps in digestion and absorption of food
• Helps in cell signalling
• Help to transport fat soluble vitamins through
bloodstream
Triglycerides
 Lipids
Lipids are group of biomolecules, insoluble in water and soluble in
organic solvents.

There are several different types of lipids including:

Fatty acids: they are building blocks of most lipids and are used to build
larger molecules such as triglycerides and phospholipids.

Triglycerides: these are the main form of fat stored in the body, and
composed of three fatty acids attached to glycerol backbone.

Phospholipids: these are major components of cell membranes and

composed of two fatty acids attached to glycerol backbone along with
phosphate group.

Steroids: main type of lipid that includes hormones such as testosterone

and estrogen as well as cholesterol, which is the main important
component of cell membranes.
Fatty Acids
Functions
Functions of Phospholipids
Steroids
Engineering Applications of Lipids
• Cosmetics
• Food Industry
• Medical Applications (lipid based drug
delivery systems)
• Biofuels
• Cleaning Agents
 Enzymes
• Enzymes are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living
organisms that convert substrate to product.

• They play an essential role in metabolism, which is the set of chemical

reactions that occur in cells to maintain life.

• Enzymes are made up of long chains of amino acids that fold into
complex three-dimensional shapes.

• Enzymes have many important applications in biotechnology,

biosensor medicine, and industry.
HORMONES
 HORMONES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
• Insulin
 Produced by Pancreas, this hormone helps the human
body to synthesize glucose from food intake for energy
 Controls blood sugar level in the human body
• Cortisol
 It is a steroid hormone which is also known as stress
hormone as it helps the human body to deal with any
pressure
• Melatonin
 Controls the sleep cycle
 Functions of Hormones
• Food Metabolism
• Growth and development
• Controlling thirst and hunger
• Maintaining body temperature
• Regulating mood and cognitive functions
• Helps in reproduction
 Vitamins
• Vitamins are organic compounds that are
essential to an organism in small quantities for
proper metabolic functions.

Vitamins

Fat Soluble – Water Soluble-

Vitamin A,D,E,K Vitamin B,C
 Functions of Vitamins
• Vitamin A - Helps in normal vision, Immune system
• Vitamin B – Helps the body’s cells convert carbohydrates into
energy
• Vitamin B12 – Helps to form RBC and DNA
• Vitamin C - Helps in maintaining healthy skin ,bones and
cartilage
• Vitamin D – Helps to maintain bone health
• Vitamin E – Makes immune system strong
• Vitamin K – Helps in blood clotting