Overview of Major Biomolecules and Their Functions

Carbohydrates

One of the four major classes of biomolecules.

Proteins

One of the four major classes of biomolecules.

Nucleic acids

One of the four major classes of biomolecules.

Lipids

One of the four major classes of biomolecules.

Common elements in biomolecules

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.

Dehydration synthesis

Reactions that form biomolecules.

Hydrolysis

Reactions that break biomolecules.

General formula for carbohydrates

Typically CH2O (1:2:1 ratio of C:H:O).

Monosaccharides

Examples include glucose, fructose, galactose.

Cellulose

Provides structural support in plant cell walls.

Polysaccharides

Used for energy storage (starch, glycogen) and structure (cellulose).

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins.

Peptide bond

Type of bond that connects amino acids.

Levels of protein structure

Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.

Protein functions

Examples include enzymatic activity and structural support.

Nucleotides

Monomers of nucleic acids.

Components of a nucleotide

Sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous base.

DNA bases

Adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine.

RNA's main role

Protein synthesis.

Triglycerides

Made of glycerol and three fatty acids.

Saturated fats

Have no double bonds.

Unsaturated fats

Have double bonds.

Phospholipids

Function to form cell membranes.