Biomolecules

General Overview of Biomolecules

  • Biomolecules are essential molecules for living organisms.

    • Produced by living animals.

    • Includes large macromolecules: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Basic Elements of Matter

  • Element: The most basic form of matter.

    • Cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.

Chemical Compounds

  • Compound: A combination of two or more elements.

    • Example: Water (H2O) formed from two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Types of Compounds

  • Inorganic Compounds: Non-carbon containing.

    • Includes water, acids, bases, salts, carbon dioxide.

  • Organic Compounds: Carbon containing.

    • Include proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids.

Essential Elements in Living Systems

  • Seven major elements:

    • Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium.

    • Trace elements include Iron, Iodine, Copper, etc.

Importance of Water

  • Composes 45-95% of living organisms.

  • Universal solvent essential for life.

  • Characteristics:

    • High heat capacity.

    • Medium for physical and chemical processes.

    • Acts as a shock absorber and helps regulate body temperature.

Symptoms of Water Intoxication

  • Excessive water intake can lead to:

    • Confusion, irritability, dizziness.

    • Headaches, muscle weakness, nausea, bloating.

pH Scale and Body Functions

  • pH is a measure of acid or alkaline levels.

    • Ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic) with 7 being neutral.

  • Body fluid pH must be regulated for proper function.

  • Important fluids:

    • Gastric secretion (1.0-3.5)

    • Blood (7.35-7.45)

    • Urine (4.5-8.0)

Electrolytes

  • Inorganic compounds: Salts or ions that conduct electricity.

  • Six essential electrolytes, including Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca^2+), Magnesium (Mg^2+), Chloride (Cl^-), and Phosphates (PO4^3-).

Organic Compounds Structure

  • Polymers: Long molecules made up of repeating units (monomers) linked by covalent bonds.

    • Example: Proteins, Carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates

  • Most abundant organic compounds.

  • Function as energy sources for cells and structural components.

  • Types:

    • Monosaccharides: Simple sugars (glucose, fructose).

    • Disaccharides: Formed from two monosaccharides (sucrose, lactose).

    • Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharides (starch, glycogen).

Lipids

  • Include fats, oils, waxes, steroids, and phospholipids.

  • Functions: Energy storage, waterproofing, signaling.

  • Structure: Fatty acids and glycerol.

Proteins

  • Building blocks of the body.

  • Composed of amino acids.

  • Functions: Structural roles, hormones, enzymes.

  • Essential and non-essential amino acids listed.

Nucleic Acids

  • Large molecules carrying genetic information.

  • Types: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid).

  • DNA structure includes a sugar-phosphate backbone held by hydrogen bonds between bases (A-T, G-C).

Summary of Protein Synthesis

  • Transcription: DNA is transcribed into RNA by RNA polymerase.

  • Translation: mRNA translated into protein by ribosomes.