Biomolecules

Biomolecules
- substances which are present exclusively in
the living organisms
 Biomolecules
- are synthesized in the body by use of
different elements from nature
 Biomolecules
- formed in the body by biological means and
manage the physiology and growth of
organisms
 Biomolecules
• There are 4 classifications of
biomolecules in our bodies
– Carbohydrates
– Lipids (fats)
– Proteins
– Nucleic acid (DNA)
• These are large molecules
(polymer) that are made up of
smaller building blocks
(monomers)
• Polymers are made of
monomers.
 Monomers and polymers
• Monomers are made into polymers via dehydration reactions
• Polymers are broken down into monomers via hydrolysis
reactions
 Biomolecules
- natural substances present from birth to
death of living being
 Biomolecules
• Molecules are either inorganic compounds
or organic compounds
• Why is carbon so special?
– It can form 4 bonds with other atoms. It loves
to COVALENTLY BOND!
– It can form single, double, and triple bonds.
 4 Types of Biomolecules

• 1. Food sources
• 2. Constitutional elements
• 3. Primary metabolites
• 4. Secondary metabolites
• Food sources: These are the substances
which act as food materials. They give
energy and nutrients to all the living beings
on the earth.
• Examples include: Carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals
• Constitutional Elements: These are the
molecules which make up the body
structure. They also tend to control the
body physiology.
• Examples include: DNA, RNA, steroids,
cholesterol etc. DNA forms the genes and
also mRNA, RNA from the body proteins.
Steroids are part of many hormones.
• Primary metabolites: They are involved in
growth, development, and reproduction of
the organism. They are a key component in
maintaining normal physiological processes.
They are typically formed during the growth
phase as a result of energy metabolism, and
are deemed essential for proper growth
• Ex: ethanol, lactic acid, certain amino acids
• Secondary metabolites: These are mostly
end metabolic substances. They are mostly
excreted from the body through organs like
kidneys.
• Ex: Urea, uric acid, ketones
 Proteins
• Elements: C, H, O, N, or S (sulfur)
• Structure: look for N or S
• What do they do
– Hemoglobin in your blood that carries oxygen
– Muscles, tendons, hair
– Defend body from microorganisms
– Control chemical reactions-enzymes
– Carry out almost all of the body’s everyday functions
• Building block-amino acids
Proteins
• A protein’s shape is
very important
• You change the shape
of a protein, you
change the function or
lose the function
 Carbohydrates
• Elements-C, H, O
• Function: Main source of
energy, gives plants tough
structure
• Examples: sugars and
starches, glycogen,
sucrose, glucose, cellulose
• Shape-rings connected
• Building Block-
monosaccharide or simple
sugars (glucose)
Different types of carbohydrates
• Based on size
– Monosaccharide-one sugar
• galactose (found in milk),
fructose (found in fruit)
• glucose (found in most plants)
– Disaccharide-two sugars
• lactose (found in milk)
• sucrose (table sugar)
• maltose (malt)
– Polysaccharide- many sugars
• Cellulose-makes plants have a
rigid structure
• Glycogen-animal starch
 Lipids (Fats)
• Not a polymer
– Why?
• Elements-C, H, O
• Has the most energy but we
can’t consume tons of fat;
part of membranes; insulation
• Structure-long chain of
carbons attached
• Examples: cholesterol, wax,
steroids, oils
• Building Block-fatty acids
and glycerol
 Saturated vs. Unsaturated
• Saturated-bad for you;
causes cholesterol
problems, clogged arteries;
solid at room temperature;
lard
• Unsaturated-liquid at room
temperature; not as bad
for you; olive oil, canola
oil, peanut oil
• Trans fat-type of
unsaturated; causes
coronary heart disease
 Nucleic Acids
• Tell your cells how to
function
• Contains the genetic
information
• DNA (deoxyribose
sugar) and RNA (ribose
sugar)
• Building blocks:
nucleotides
• Elements: C, H, O, N, P
Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA

• DNA =
deoxyribonucleic acid
• DNA is a double
polymer (chain)
• Each chain is made of
nucleotides
• The 2 chains bond
together to form a
helix
DNA nucleotides
• Each nucleotide in
DNA contains:
– 5-C sugar
(deoxyribose)
– Phosphate
– Nitrogen base
-adenine (A)
-guanine (G)
-cytosine (C)
-thymine (T)
READING FOOD LABELS