Biological Molecules PDF

# **Learning Objectives:** - Categorize the biological molecules according to their structure and function - Explain the role of each biological molecule in specific metabolic processes # **Overview:** - Definition of Biological Molecules - Classification of Biological Molecules - Structure and f...

# **Learning Objectives:** - Categorize the biological molecules according to their structure and function - Explain the role of each biological molecule in specific metabolic processes # **Overview:** - Definition of Biological Molecules - Classification of Biological Molecules - Structure and functions of Biological Molecules # **Biological Molecules** - Biomolecules are essential molecules for all living organisms - They have unique characteristics and properties that show how they contribute to the structure and function of the cells and maintain life # **Elements** - The simplest form of a substance found in the body such as C, H, O, N # **Compounds** - Made up of two or more elements that are chemically joined together ## **Inorganic Compounds** - Water, Acid, Bases, Salt, Carbon Dioxide ## **Organic Compounds** - Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids # **Element** - The simplest form of a substance - Cannot be broken down into a simpler form - 25 out of the natural elements are essential to life - 98-99% of the body is composed of seven major elements namely C, H, O, N, P, Ca, S | Symbol | Name | Functions | |:-------|:-------|:-----------| | C | Carbon | Makes up 18% of the mass of the human body. The main component of organic compounds.| | H | Hydrogen | 10% of human body mass. Essential in energy production.| | O | Oxygen | 61-65% of total human body mass. Used for cellular respiration. | | N | Nitrogen | Makes up 3% of human body mass. Key element of protein and nucleic acid. | | P | Phosphorus | 1.2-1.5% of human body mass. Important for bone structure. Major component of nucleic acid.| | S | Sulfur | 0.20-0.25% of human body mass. Important components of proteins. | | Ca | Calcium | 1.5% of human body mass. Gives skeletal system its rigidity and strength. Found in bones and teeth. Important for muscle functions. | | Si, Cl, Mg, Cu, Zn | Minerals | Other elements found in the body in little amounts. Essential for growth and maintenance of the body. | | Fe & I | Trace Elements | Elements that are indispensable to life but is required in minute amounts. | # **Compounds** - A substance composed of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together - Can be classified into inorganic or organic compounds - Example: H2O, NaCl # **Atomic Bonding** | Atomic Bond | Description | |:-------------|:-----------| | Covalent Bond | Sharing of a pair of valence electrons by two atoms. Represents sharing of electrons. Done to satisfy the octet rule. | | Ionic Bond | Attraction between oppositely charged atoms (CATIONS, ANIONS). Compounds formed from ionic bonds are called ionic compounds or salts. | | Hydrogen Bonds | Electronegativity - The partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms that is bonded in an electronegative atom allows the hydrogen to be attracted to different electronegative atoms nearby. Hydrogen bonds maybe intramolecular or intermolecular.| | Van der Waals Forces | Weaker than hydrogen bonds. Occur over a very short distance. When many of these interactions occur simultaneously, they can be powerful. | # **Inorganic Compounds** - Also known as Inorganic Biological Molecules or Micromolecules - These are compounds which are those without carbon The image depicts an infographic of the inorganic compounds divided into: - Water - Acids - Bases - Electrolytes - Carbon Dioxide # **Water** - A versatile solvent - Dissolves an enormous variety of solutes necessary for living - Results from the polarity of its molecules - When water is in liquid form, its hydrogen bonds are very weak. The hydrogen bonds form, break and reform with great frequency. # **Characteristics and Functions of Water** - **Biological Solvent:** Ability to dissolve many substances including essential molecules in the body. - **High Specific Heat:** A large amount of heat is needed to increase its temperature, thus it helps in maintaining the constant body temperature. - **High Heat of Vaporization:** Conversion of water from liquid to gaseous state which helps an organism in preventing dehydration. - **High Heat of Fusion:** Helps an organism to maintain constant body temperature at a low temperature. - **Medium for Chemical and Physical Process:** Can serve as a place for gas and nutrient exchange and elimination of wastes. - **Means of transport:** - # **Acids** - A substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution - When an acid dissolves in a solution, it donates hydrogen ions # **Weak vs Strong Acids** The diagram depicts a weak acid, where only some of the molecules are dissolved into ions, compared to a strong acid where all molecules are dissolved into ions. # **Base** - A substance that decreases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution - When an acid dissolves in a solution, it accepts hydrogen ions # **pH Scale** The diagram depicts a pH scale with the following details: - **pH Balance Chart:** "Potential of Hydrogen" - **Neutral:** 7 - **ACID:** Ranging from 1 to 6, with details of Sickness: Acidic Foods & Drinks, Emotional & Physical, Stress & Aging - **ALKALINE:** Ranging from 8 to 14, with details of Health: Raw Alkaline Foods, Kangen Water, Emotional & Physical, Strength & Youth - Change Your Water... Change Your Life. # **Property of Acids and Bases** | Property | Acid | Base | |:--------|:-----|:----- | | pH | Less than 7 | Greater than 7 | | Litmus paper | Blue to red | Red to blue | | Taste | Sour | Bitter | | Odor | Burning sensation | Often no odor | | Texture | Sticky | Slippery | | Reactivity | Reacts with metal to produce hydrogen gas | Reacts with several fats and oils | # **Electrolytes or Salts** - Produced when an acid is combined with a base - Conducts electricity within the body The image shows Na+OH- + H+Cl- → Na+Cl- + H+OH- # **Carbon Dioxide** - Essential for plants to perform photosynthesis - Waste product from the breakdown of glucose # **Organic Compounds** - Compounds containing carbon bonded to hydrogen (hydrocarbon) - Carbon atom is the backbone of all macromolecules # **How to Illustrate Organic Compounds?** ## **Molecular Formula** | Compound | Molecular Formula | |:---------|:-------------------| | Glucose | C6H12O6 | | Butane | C4H10 | | Octane | C8H18 | ## **Structural Formula** The image shows the structural formula of **Ethanol** (C2H6O) and **Dimethyl Ether** (C2H6O). # **Macromolecule** - Macromolecules are large molecules necessary for life that are built from different combinations of smaller organic molecules - Polymers built from monomers such as: - CHO - CHON - CHONP - CHONPS # **Macromolecule** - **Polymer:** A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds. - **Monomer:** The repeating units that serves as a building blocks of a polymer. # **Monomer** - Monosaccharide - Monomer of Carbohydrates - Amino Acids - Monomer of Proteins - Nucleotides - Monomer of Nucleic Acids # **Synthesis of Macromolecules** - Dehydration Synthesis - Hydrolysis # **Dehydration Synthesis** - Monomers combine with each other using covalent bond to form polymers The image depicts the dehydration reaction and the formation of water. # **Hydrolysis** - Polymers are broken down into monomers The image shows a carbohydrate polymer being hydrolyzed to form two monomers.