MAJOR CLASSES OF BIOMOLECULES

Major classes of biomolecules

Biomolecules

Introduction to important molecules which comprise the structure and function of all living organisms

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Protein

4. Nucleic Acid

Four Classes of Biomolecules

• Hydroxyl

• Carbonyl

• Carboxyl

• Amino

• Phosphate

• Sulfhydryl

Functional Groups found in biomolecules

Monomer

• Subunits that serve as building blocks

• Connected by condensation reactions (dehydration) Polymers

• Covalent bonding occurs

• Solubility in Water

Charecteristics of Lipids

• Principal Elements: C, H, & O

• Some With P & N

• H:O >>> 2:1

• Diverse Group of Biological Molecules

• Water Insoluble

Functions of Lipids

• Energy Storage

• Protection & Cushioning of Body Organs

• Structural Components of Membranes

• Chemical Messengers (hormones)

• Triglycerides (neutral fats)

• Phospholipids

• Sterols

• Waxes

• Vitaminsm (D, E, K)

Major types of Lipids

Sterols

subgroup of steroids

Cholesterol

< 175 mg/dl

Triglycerides

30-175 mg/dl

HDL

>35

LDL

<130

Cholesterol/HDL ratio

<4.5 indicates heart disease

Risk factors for high cholesterol

• Family history of vascular disease

• High levels of blood cholesterol

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Obesity

C, H, O, & N

Characteristics of Protein, Principle elements

Amino Acids

Monomers

Polypeptides or Proteins

Polymers

• Carboxylic Acid (-COOH)

• Amine (-NH2)

• R-Groups (variable - 20 different kinds)

Functional Groups of AminoAcids

Functions of Proteins

• Enzymes

• Structural Proteins

• Chemical Messengers (Hormones)

• Contractile

• Antibodies

• Glycine (Gly)

• Alamine (Ala)

• Valine (Val)

• Leucine (Leu)

• Isoleucine (Ile)

• Methionine (Met)

• Tryptophan (Trp)

• Phenylalanine (Phe)

• Proline (Pro)

20 Known Amino Acids (NONPOLAR)

• Serine (Ser)

• Threonine (Thr)

• Cysteine (Cys)

• Tyrosine (Tyr)

• Asparagine (Asn)

• Glutamine (Gln)

20 Known Amino Acids (POLAR)

ACIDIC

• Aspartic Acid (Asp)

• Glutamic Acid (Glu)

BASE

• Lysine (Lys)

• Arginine (Arg)

• Histidine (His)

20 Known Amino Acids (ELECTRICIALLY CHARGED)

Hemoglobin and Keratin

Two different polypeptides

• Valine

• Histidine

• Leucine

• Threonine

• Proline

• Glutamic Acid

Hemoglobin

• Cystine

• Serine

• Proline

• Glutamic Acid

• Theronine

• Valine

Keratin

1. Peptide bond

2. Hydrogen bond

3. Salt (ionic) bond

4. Disulfide

Protein Bond Types

Disulfide bond

• Strong, chemical side bond

• Cannot be broken by water

• Can be broken by chemical hair relaxers

• Alters the shape of the hair

Salt (Ionic) bond

Attraction of unlike charges. Negative charge in an amino acid attracts the positive charge in another amino acid grouping

Enzymes

• Catalysts- speed up a reaction

• Not used up by reaction

• Decrease activation energy of a reaction (activation energy is needed to break chemical bonds)

• Temperature

• pH

• Substrate conc.

• Enzyme conc.

Enzymatic reactions are affected by:

Nucleic Acids

Principle Elements: C, H, O, N, & P

Monomers: Nucleotides

Polymers: Nucleic Acids

Generally Water Soluble

Ribose (5-C) Sugar

Phosphate

Nitrogenous Base

Nucleotide Components:

Functions of Nucleic Acids

• Genetic Instruction Set (DNA)

• Protein Synthesis (DNA & RNA)

• Energy Metabolism (ATP)

DNA

• Polymers made up of individual nucleotides

• contains information for almost all cell activities

• Phosphate group

• Five carbon sugar

• Ring shaped nitrogen base

Nucleotides contain