Biological Molecules

Biological Molecules

Organisms primarily rely on certain biochemical compounds to obtain energy.

Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids

Three biochemical compounds.

Monomer

Simple molecules

Polymer

Large molecules are formed by combining monomers.

Polymer Formation

Making big molecules from small molecules.

Dehydration Synthesis

Water is produced as monomers are combined.

Hydrolysis

Water breaks up the bonds in another molecule.

Carbohydrates

They are compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of 1:2:1. It also known as the prime source of energy.

Triose, Tetrose, Pentose, and Hexose

According to the number of carbon chains.

Triose

Three-carbon-chains.

Tetrose

Four-carbon chains.

Pentose

Five-carbon chains.

Hexose

Six-carbon chains.

Aldose and Ketose

According to the CO function group.

Aldose

The CO function group is aldehyde.

Ketose

The CO function group is ketone.

D-form / D-glucose and L-form / L-glucose

According to the stereochemistry of carbohydrates.

D-form / D-glucose

The OH group is located on the right side of carbon no. 5.

L-form / L-glucose

The OH group is located on the left side of carbon no. 5.

Monosaccharide

Simple sugars; cannot be hydrolyzed to a simpler form.

Disaccharide

It is formed by the interaction of two monosaccharides plus water.

Glucose, Galactose, and Fructose

Examples of Monosaccharides.

Sucrose, Lactose, and Maltose

Examples of Disaccharides.

Glucose

It is also known as “blood sugar,“ and it is a common carbohydrate.

Galactose

Important component for sucrose and of blood type

Fructose

More commonly found together with glucose and sucrose in honey and fruit juices.

Oligosaccharide

Composed of 2-10 sugar units.

Polysaccharide

It is made up of many monosaccharide units. (more than 10 sugar units.)

Starch

It is the storage form of carbohydrates in plants that can be digested by man.

Cellulose

It is a storage form of carbohydrates in plants that cannot be digested by man.

Glycogen

It is a storage form of carbohydrate in humans.

Proteins

These are biomolecules made up of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. It is the most diverse among the molecules, and it is also known as “life’s building block“.

Actin and Myosin Proteins

Produced by our muscle cells in contraction.

Collagen Proteins

To maintain their toughness, such as ligaments and tendons.

Lipids

They are biomolecules that contain large hydrophobic structures that are commonly not soluble in water.

Triglycerides

It is composed of glycerol attached to three fatty acids.

Fats

It is usually from animal sources such as meat, milk, butter, margarine, eggs, and cheese.

Oils

It is obtained from plant sources, and they are mostly unsaturated fatty acids.

Fatty Acids

It is essential to understand lipids, which are long-chain carboxylic acids that are insoluble in water. It can be saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated Fats

It contains only single bonds in the fatty acid chain. They can be found in animal fats, such as pork and beef; they can also be found in butter, cream, and some processed food.

Unsaturated Fats

They are mostly known as oils; they contain one or more double bonds in the fatty acid chain. They are commonly found in plants.

Trans Fat

It may be produced artificially through the process of hydrogenation. It is considered to be the worst type of fat to eat.

Phospholipids

They are lipids that contain a phosphate group. Composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group.

Steroids

They are cylic hydrocarbons usually composed of four rings.

Testosterone

They are male sex hormones responsible for lowering voice pitch and growth of facial and body hair.

Estrogen

Female ovulation cycle.

Waxes

They are esters, it is combined from certain alcohols and fatty acids. They are extremely hydrophobic.

Nucleic Acids

They are the largest molecules among the previous organic compounds, being composed of several nucleotide subunits.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids. It is composed of a phosphate group, a sugar portion, and a nitrogenous base.

Purine Bases

Adenine and Guanine: Double-ringed structure.

Pyrimidine Bases

Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil. Contain only one ring in their structure.