Overview of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

Type of Biomolecule

Monomer Functions Elements Examples

Carbohydrate Monosaccharide Provide energy

C, H, O1: 2: 1

Starch, glycogen, cellulose

Starch (polysaccharide): Used for energy storage in plants (e.g., potatoes).

Glycogen (polysaccharide): Used for energy storage in liver and muscles. Highly branched.

Cellulose (polysaccharide): Responsible for structure in plants (e.g., broccoli). Not branched. Humans cannot break it down.

Type of Biomolecule

Monomer Functions Elements Examples

Carbohydrate Monosaccharide Provide energy

C, H, O Starch, glycogen, cellulose

Starch (polysaccharide): Used for energy storage in plants (e.g., potatoes).

Glycogen (polysaccharide): Used for energy storage in liver and muscles. Highly branched. Cellulose (polysaccharide): Responsible for structure in plant cell walls. Not branched. Humans cannot break it down. Ex: green, leafy vegetables (fiber).

Lipids

Type of Biomolecule

Monomer Functions Elements Examples

Lipids None, but major component is fatty acids

Store energy

Major component in cell membrane

C, H, O, and sometimes P

Triglyceride

Phospholipid

Cholesterol

Fatty Acids: The building blocks of all lipidsSaturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature (they are straight and stack better). Unsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature (are bent and do not stack well)

Made of high #s of Carbons and Hydrogens, and few Oxygens

Types of Fatty Acids

Saturated fatty acids stack and are considered less healthy (causing buildup of plaque arteries).

Unsaturated fatty acids do not stack and are liquid; considered healthier

Types of lipids

They are all made of fatty acids

TriglyceridesFats in foods are mostly triglycerides. Made of three fatty acids and 1 glycerol molecule. Can be saturated or unsaturated. Stored in body for energy.

PhospholipidsPhospholipids are important in forming the cell membrane, which surrounds cells and is essential to cellular function.

CholesterolIs cholesterol good or bad?

CholesterolA waxy substance made of one fatty acid and four carbon rings.

Provides stability to the plasma membrane.

A steroid (four carbon rings).

Foods with High Protein

● Largely animal-based (fish, meat, eggs)

● Also plant-based (tofu, beans, nuts)

Type of Biomolecule

Monomer Functions Elements Examples

Protein Amino Acids

Provide structure

Facilitate chemical reactions

Immunity

C, H, O, N, and sometimes S

Structural proteins: Keratin in hair, nails

Enzymes: speed up chemical reactions

Antibodies: protect body from infection

Hormones: chemical messengers

Proteins are polymers (like carbohydrates)

Proteins are made of repeating monomers called amino acids

Two amino acids form a covalent bond by removing water. This bond is called a peptide bond. The product of this reaction is a dipeptide (two amino acids)

Polypeptide is a large molecule made of many amino acids. Poly means “many.”

20 Types of Amino AcidsThousands of different types of proteins in the body.

Combination/order of amino acids determine the type of protein in a similar way the order of letters determine the meaning of a word (e.g., Dam versus Mad).

Primary Structure: Order of amino acids results in different primary structure.

Secondary Structure: Molecules twist or form pleated structures depending on primary structure.

Tertiary Structure: Further folding creates globular structure. Shape determines protein’s function.

Quaternary Structure: Two or more tertiary structures come together

The structure of proteins

What material do you use to build a house?● Wood beams● Glass windows● Metal nails● Shingles for the roof

How do you know what should be placed where?

Blueprints

Type of Biomolecule

Monomer Functions Elements Examples

Nucleic Acid Nucleotide Genetic information

Directs processes in cells

C, H, O, N, and P

DNA (genetic information, “blueprint”)

RNA (helps transfer information from DNA into cell)

Nucleic AcidsPolymers. Macromolecules that provide instructions for creation of proteins in cells.

DNA and RNA

DNA is passed on from generation to generation.

RNA is made using information in DNA

Phosphate and sugar groups are always the same. Bases change.

What are nucleotides?

DNA has the following bases:Cytosine, Guanine, Thymine, Adenine(C, G, T, A)

RNA has the following bases:Cytosine, Guanine, Uracil, Adenine (C, G, U, A)

DNA StructureDeoxyribonucleic Acid

Double stranded

Helical (curved)

Double Helix

All living things have DNA

RNA StructureRibonucleic Acid

Single stranded

Helical (curved)

Why the name?Nucleic acids originate in the nucleus of cells: hence the name “nucleic”

They have a phosphate group that is acidic.

How many nucleotides are in this picture?

Six

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