M2.1 - OVERVIEW OF BIOMOLECULES

bulk elements

• serve as structural components of cells and tissues

• required in the diet in grams daily

trace elements

required in the diet in mg or fewer levels daily

C, H, N, O, P and S

___, ___, ___, ___, ___, and ___ – most important elements present in biomolecules

Carbon Atom

• important atom for different biomolecules

• can form single, double, and triple bonds with other carbon atoms

• can form single and multiple bonds with other atoms (H, O, N, etc.)

Classes of Organic Compounds

commonly found in biomolecules

• _________________________________

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• _________________________________

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Linkages commonly found in biomolecules

• _____________

• _____________

• _____________

nucleophilic substitution

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• one atom or group is substituted with another atom or group

• example: N-methylation of bacterial DNA

elimination reaction

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• involves the removal of group of atoms resulting to the formation of a double bond

• example: formation of isopentyl diphosphate

addition reaction

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• two molecules combine to form a single product

• example: formation of hydroxyacyl-CoA during fatty acid catabolism

isomerization reaction

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• involves intramolecular shift of atom(s)

• example: conversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate (GAP) during glycolysis

redox reaction

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• involves transfer of electron(s) from an electron donor to an electron acceptor

• example: reduction of pyruvate to lactate

hydrolysis reaction

Chemical Reactions commonly found in biomolecules

• addition of water resulting to the breaking of a covalent bond

• example: hydrolysis of triacylglycerols

Protein

Types of Biomolecules

• most abundant biomolecule in the cell (around 15%)

• most varied and most diverse in terms of structure and function

Protein

Types of Biomolecules

• function

  • establishment and maintenance of structure

    • example: collagen

  • transport

    • example: hemoglobin

  • control and regulation

    • example: hormones

Protein

Types of Biomolecules

• function

  • defense and immunity

    • example: immunoglobulin

  • catalysis

    • example: enzymes

  • movement

    • example: myosin

  • storage

    • example: ferritin

Carbohydrate

Types of Biomolecules

• most abundant biomolecule on Earth

• can either be a polyhydroxyaldehyde or polyhdroxyketone

Carbohydrate

Types of Biomolecules

• function

  • energy source and storage

    • example: starch

  • structural integrity

    • example: cellulose

  • as conjugates to other macromolecules

    • glycoproteins

  • components of nucleic acids

    • DNA and RNA

Lipid

Types of Biomolecules

• heterogenous in structure

• exhibit low solubility/insolubility in water and solubility in organic solvents

Lipid

Types of Biomolecules

• have very large hydrophobic (non-polar) portions

Lipid

Types of Biomolecules

• function

  • fuel for metabolic processes

    • example: fats and oils

  • building blocks and vitamins

    • example: phospholipid

  • insulation

    • example: fats and oils

  • protective covering

    • example: suberin

Nucleic acid

Types of Biomolecules

• chemical carriers of genetic information

• two forms:

  • DNA (2’-deoxyribonucleic acid)

  • RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Nucleic acid

Types of Biomolecules

• biopolymers of nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bond

Nucleic acid

Types of Biomolecules

• function

  • energy currency in metabolic processes

    • ATP and ADP

  • structural components of cofactors and coenzymes

    • NADH and FADH2

  • as building blocks for molecular repositories of genetic information

    • DNA and RNA