Overview of Biomolecules Quiz

Overview of Biomolecules

• Biomolecules are organic molecules that are essential for life.
• They are primarily classified into four major categories: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

1. Carbohydrates

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (C, H, O).
• Function as energy sources and structural components.
• Types:
  • Monosaccharides: Simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose).
  • Disaccharides: Formed by two monosaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose).
  • Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose).

2. Lipids

• Composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen.
• Hydrophobic and insoluble in water.
• Functions include energy storage, membrane structure, and signaling.
• Types:
  • Fats and oils: triglycerides (glycerol + fatty acids).
  • Phospholipids: component of cell membranes (hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails).
  • Steroids: signaling molecules (e.g., cholesterol, hormones).

3. Proteins

• Composed of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; contain C, H, O, nitrogen (N).
• Serve diverse functions such as catalysts (enzymes), structural support, transport, and signaling.
• Structure levels:
  • Primary: Amino acid sequence.
  • Secondary: Alpha helices and beta sheets.
  • Tertiary: 3D folding.
  • Quaternary: Assembly of multiple polypeptides.

4. Nucleic Acids

• Composed of nucleotides (phosphate group, sugar, nitrogenous base).
• Function in genetic information storage and transmission.
• Types:
  • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Double-helix structure; stores genetic information.
  • RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): Single-stranded; involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Key Concepts

• Macromolecules: Large biomolecules formed from smaller units (e.g., polysaccharides from monosaccharides).
• Enzymes: Proteins that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.
• Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic: Hydrophilic molecules interact with water while hydrophobic molecules do not.
• Metabolism: The total of all chemical reactions in an organism, often involving biomolecules.

Functions in Living Organisms

• Energy Storage and Supply: Carbohydrates and lipids provide energy.
• Structural Component: Proteins and carbohydrates play a role in cellular structure.
• Genetic Information: Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information for inheritance and function.
• Catalysis: Enzymes reduce activation energy, facilitating metabolic reactions.

Biomolecules Overview

• Essential organic molecules for life
• Four primary categories: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• Function as energy sources and structural components
• Monosaccharides: simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose)
• Disaccharides: two monosaccharides joined (e.g., sucrose, lactose)
• Polysaccharides: long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose)

Lipids

• Primarily carbon and hydrogen
• Hydrophobic and insoluble in water
• Functions include energy storage, membrane structure, and signaling
• Fats and oils: triglycerides (glycerol + fatty acids)
• Phospholipids: components of cell membranes (hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails)
• Steroids: signaling molecules (e.g., cholesterol, hormones)

Proteins

• Composed of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
• Diverse functions: catalysts (enzymes), structural support, transport, and signaling
• Structure levels:
  • Primary: amino acid sequence
  • Secondary: alpha helices and beta sheets
  • Tertiary: 3D folding
  • Quaternary: assembly of multiple polypeptides

Nucleic Acids

• Composed of nucleotides (phosphate group, sugar, nitrogenous base)
• Function: genetic information storage and transmission
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): double-helix structure, stores genetic information
• RNA (ribonucleic acid): single-stranded, involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation

Key Concepts

• Macromolecules: large biomolecules formed from smaller units (e.g., polysaccharides from monosaccharides)
• Enzymes: proteins that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions
• Hydrophilic: molecules interact with water
• Hydrophobic: molecules do not interact with water
• Metabolism: all chemical reactions in an organism, often involving biomolecules

Functions in Living Organisms

• Energy storage and supply: carbohydrates and lipids
• Structural components: proteins and carbohydrates
• Genetic information: nucleic acids
• Catalysis: enzymes facilitate metabolic reactions