Biomolecules

molecules have a chemical formula

identifies what atoms make up a given molecule

• Ex: C6H12O6

• tells you very little about its actual shape

Where do molecules get their true structure?

from the atoms present and the types of bonds formed amongst them

• atoms in molecules are typically held together by covalent and hydrogen bonds

When molecules interact, shape is very important

• always remember, STRUCTURE DETERMINES FUNCTION

• wrong structure = wrong function

What are biomolecules?

biomolecules are a subset of organic molecules (containing carbon) that are important in living organisms

• “building blocks” that help maintain homeostasis

what elements make up biomolecules

• they must contain carbon to be considered organic, but also typically contain hydrogen and oxygen

• some also have nitrogen and phosphorus

What are the 4 categories of biomolecules?

• carbohydrates

• lipids (fats and oils)

• nucleotides/nucleic acids

• proteins

what is a monomer?

simplest form (or unit) of a biomolecule

• “building blocks” that assemble into larger, more complex forms

what is a polymer

chain of two or more biomolecule monomer

• typically, many hundreds or thousands of monomers linked together

• a neat and tidy way for cells to store molecules and energy for later usage storage

biomolecule monomers link up through reactions between functional groups

they are the “reactive” parts of biomolecules

• where one biomolecule joins chemically with another using a covalent bond

Can also be transferred from molecule to molecule as a single unit

what molecule is this?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)!

• 3 phosphate groups