BIOMOLECULES

• Biomolecule


  Any molecule that is produced by living organisms, most of which are organic molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• Major categories of biomolecules

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids
• Carbohydrates


  Also known as starch, carbs, sugar
• How the body breaks down bread

  1. Breaks down into microscopic molecules

  2. Polysaccharide

  3. Disaccharide

  4. Monosaccharide
• Monosaccharide


  One sugar
• Disaccharide


  Two sugars
• Polysaccharide


  Many sugars
• Carbohydrates


  • Provide quick energy to the body
• How complex carbohydrates are formed and broken down

  1. Hydrolysis: Addition of water to a compound splits it

  2. Dehydration synthesis: Combining single compounds into a complex one by removing water
• Carbohydrates are the easiest source of energy
• Carbohydrates are the most abundant biomolecule on earth
• Lipids


  Insoluble in water, break down into microscopic molecules like fats, oils, waxes, steroids
• Lipid monomer


  3 fatty acids + glycerol

  
• Lipids


  • Made mainly of carbon and hydrogen (few oxygen)
  • Best method of storing fat
  • Form cell membranes
  • Insulate nerve cells
  • Insulate body to maintain homeostasis
• Proteins


  Meat, polypeptide, whey protein, peanut butter
• Amino acid


  Monomer for proteins, contains C, H, O, N with an amino group, R-group, and carboxyl group
• Protein monomer


  Amino acids
• Protein polymer


  Polypeptide (peptide means bond)
• Proteins


  • Provide building blocks for life
  • Regulate most cell functions
  • Form glycoproteins, chromosomes, regulate genes, form antibodies
  • Provide structure and strength, transport molecules, form hemoglobin and enzymes, act as hormones
• Nucleic acids


  Contains C, H, O, N, P
• Nucleotide


  Monomer of nucleic acids, consists of 5-carbon sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base
• Nitrogenous bases


  • Cytosine
  • Guanine
  • Adenine
  • Thymine (in DNA only)
  • Uracil (in RNA only)
• Sugars in nucleotides


  • Ribose (in RNA only)
  • Deoxyribose (in DNA only)
• Phosphate group in nucleotides

  Contains phosphorus and oxygen
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)


  • Contains the genetic code, stores and transmits hereditary/genetic information, found in the nucleus and mitochondria, double stranded (double helix)
• RNA (ribonucleic acid)


  • Carries information from DNA to the cell, helps in protein synthesis, found in ribosomes and nucleoli, single stranded
• ATP


  Contains adenine, ribose sugar, 3 phosphates, stores and releases energy

  
• Fats have the most energy because they have the most C-H bonds