Biomolecules PDF

Biomolecules ) (The Chemistry of Life (The Chemistry of Life) General Biology 1 Biomolecules are essential molecules for all living  organisms. These are the molecules that are produced by living animals, which inclu...

Biomolecules ) (The Chemistry of Life (The Chemistry of Life) General Biology 1 Biomolecules are essential molecules for all living  organisms. These are the molecules that are produced by living animals, which include large macromolecules such as protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Element the most basic form of  matter it is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means Compound -a combination of two or more elements Example: Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom can join together to form a molecule of water (H2O), which is essential for life. molecule 2 Hydrogen atoms + 1 Oxygen atom 1 water COMPOUNDS Acids Inorganic Bases non-biodegradable Salts non-carbon containing Carbon Dioxide Water Organic  biodegradable Lipids carbon containing Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids Proteins Seven Major Elements in Living System The main composition major source of of organic compoundsThe fuel in the production of energy molecule and organic Key element in proteins Essential part of water compounds Part of some amino acids and vitaminsMajor component of bones and acts as biological signals in the body Major component of nucleic acids and energy-rich compounds Other Elements in Living System Essential for nerve function Acts as a thermostat to regulate  body temperature incorporate nitrogen chlorophyll into biologically useful Carrier of oxygen in the substance blood Important component of bones, teeth and Needed by plants to Inorganic Compounds Water Acids Bases  Salts Carbon Dioxide Water the universal and versatile solvent no organism can remain biologically  active without water the bodies of all living organisms contain between 45 to 95 percent water CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS OF WATER Biological solvent High Heat Capacity High Heat of Vaporization High Heat of Fusion Medium for Physical and Chemical ProcessesMeans of Transport Ionization the process involved in spontaneous ion formation Acids Bases  Electrolytes also known as salts or ions inorganic compounds that can conduct electricity within the body important in maintaining voltages across the cell membranes 6 Essential Electrolytes Potassium (K+) Phosphates (PO4 -3) Calcium (Ca +2) Chloride (Cl-) Magnesium (Mg+2) Sodium (Na+) Carbon Dioxide an inorganic compound essential for plants to perform photosynthesis one of the raw materials needed in the manufacturing of glucose Organic Compounds Carbohydrates  Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids A polymer is a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds. The repeating units that serve as the building blocks of a polymer are smaller molecules called monomers Carbohydrates -the most abundant organic compound -are considered the energy-giving organic molecules -they function as energy sources for cells and as structural components of cells The simplest carbohydrate is glucose Monosaccharides -are simple sugars -examples are glucose, fructose, and galactose  (Glu) Fructose (Fru) Galactose (Gal) Glucose Disaccharides -are two simple sugars bonded together -examples are sucrose (table sugar), maltose (malt sugar), and lactose (milk sugar)  (Glu + Glu) Sucrose (Glu + Fru) Lactose (Glu + Gal) Maltose Polysaccharides may consist of thousands of monomers of glucose or other simple sugars examples are starch, cellulose, and fructans capable of acting as energy storage the basic formula for a polysaccharide (C H O ) 6 10 5 n Starch - storage carbohydrate in plants Glycogen – storage carbohydrates in animals Lipids -these organic molecules include fats, oils, waxes, steroids, and phospholipids -they function as energy storage as waterproof coatings, and as chemical messengers The simplest form of lipid is fatty acid and glycerol Lipids in living organisms have the following functions: vitamins and hormones.Prevents water loss from skin surface.Essential parts of cell structures such as cell membranes Solvent for fat-soluble Insulating material to prevent heat loss and protection against extreme cold Source of storage and energy Triglycerides -are also known as blood fats Saturated Fats are those in which all the carbon atoms of the fatty acids are bonded to at least two hydrogen atoms Unsaturated Fats are those two adjacent carbon atoms on the fatty acids that share a double bond and therefore, have fewer hydrogen Waxes  -are insoluble in water -useful as waterproof coatings for organisms -as a structural component of cell walls Phospholipids consist of only two fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule and a phosphate group in place of the third fatty acid Steroids examples are cholesterol, bile salts, sex hormones, and vitamin D Testosterone  responsible for the development of the male secondary characteristics Estrogen responsible for the development of the female secondary characteristics Proteins are the building and replacement materials of our body, especially important when we are growing the most abundant and complex compound in the living cell The simplest form of protein is amino acid  Role of Proteins in the Cell Structural Proteins Regulatory Proteins Enzymatic Proteins Hormonal Proteins Transport ProteinsStorage Proteins Nucleic Acids large organic molecules whose chief function is to carry the genetic information in the form of a code DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid RNA – ribonucleic acid The simplest form of nucleic acid is nucleotide