Biomolecules and Their Functions

Study Notes

Building Blocks of Biomolecules

Monomers are the foundational units that bond together to form polymers.
Four main biomolecule families: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Common elements in macromolecules include carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO).
Proteins include nitrogen (C, H, O, N) while nucleic acids contain phosphorus (C, H, O, N, P).

Energy Sources

Glucose is the primary energy source for most living organisms.

Functional Groups in Biomolecules

Carboxyl Group: Functions as an acid by donating protons.
Amino Group: Present in amino acids, capable of accepting protons.
Methyl Group: Influences gene expression regulation.
Carbonyl Group: A component in carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Ester Group: Found in lipids, contributing to energy storage and cell membrane structure.
Amide Group: Links amino acids in proteins through peptide bonds and is present in nucleic acids.
Phosphate Group: Vital for nucleic acid structure and found in ATP molecules.
Hydroxyl Group: Present in carbohydrates, enabling hydrogen bond formation.

Types of Biomolecules

Monosaccharides: Simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose) that provide short-term energy.
Disaccharides: Composed of two monosaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose), formed via dehydration reactions which release water.
Polysaccharides: Complex sugars formed by linking multiple monosaccharides through covalent bonds, offering longer-lasting energy.
- Homopolysaccharides (Homoglycans): Examples include starch (energy storage in plants) and cellulose (structural component of plant cell walls).
- Heteropolysaccharides (Heteroglycans): Examples include pectin and hyaluronic acid.

Lipids

Non-polar compounds (fats, oils, waxes) with hydrophobic properties.
Monomer: Fatty acids, consisting of long hydrocarbon chains.
Fat molecules consist of glycerol and fatty acids, classified as saturated (solid at room temp) or unsaturated (liquid at room temp), with the latter being heart-healthy.

Proteins

Composed of 20 amino acids, of which 9 are essential and must be obtained through diet.
Amino acids possess a standard structure and link to form proteins (polypeptides).

Nucleic Acids

Monomer: Nucleotide (e.g., ATP), vital for energy storage and release.
Types include DNA and RNA, with RNA capable of storing genetic information, self-replication, and various catalytic functions.
RNA is considered the first macromolecule found in protobionts, with structure including phosphate, ribose (or deoxyribose for DNA), and nitrogenous bases.

Polymerization Process

The process through which monomers bond to create polymers.

Additional Concepts

Hemoglobin: A protein responsible for the red color of blood.
Glycogen: A polysaccharide serving as a key energy reserve in animals.

Spontaneous Generation of Molecules

Early Earth conditions may have favored the spontaneous formation of organic molecules.

Miller Experiment

Conducted the first experimental test of prebiotic synthesis, simulating early Earth conditions.
This study marked a significant step in utilizing scientific experimentation to explore the origin of life.

Four-Stage Hypothesis

Nucleotides and amino acids formed before life existed.
Nucleotides polymerized into RNA/DNA, and amino acids polymerized into proteins.
Polymers became enclosed in membranes and obtained cellular properties.

Oparin Hypothesis

Primordial Soup: Proposes that organic molecules like nucleotides and amino acids arose spontaneously under early Earth conditions.
The theory of the prebiotic soup suggests that organic molecules accumulated slowly in the ocean, possibly initiated by lightning or other energy sources.

Description

This quiz delves into the fundamental concepts of biomolecules, including the building blocks known as monomers and their role in forming polymers. It covers the four main families of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, along with their elemental composition and functional groups.

Biomolecules and Their Functions

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Questions and Answers

Which element is an exception for proteins when considering the common elements in macromolecules?

What type of biomolecule is formed by the combination of two monosaccharides?

Which functional group plays a key role in gene expression regulation?

Which biomolecule is primarily known for being a major energy source in living organisms?

Which functional group is crucial for the structure of nucleic acids and is found in ATP?

What are the two main types of polysaccharides?

What is the primary function of starch in plants?

Which of the following amino acids is classified as essential?

What type of fatty acid is predominantly found in animal fats?

Which macromolecule is primarily responsible for storing genetic information?

In the Miller experiment, what was simulated to test the origin of life?

What component of phospholipids is hydrophobic?

Which hypothesis suggests organic molecules arose spontaneously in a primordial soup?