Biological Molecules

Introduction to Biological Molecules

• Biological molecules, or biomolecules, are any substances that are produced by cells and living organisms.
• These molecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
• They are a primary source of energy for many organisms, including humans.
• Carbohydrates exist in various forms, such as simple sugars (monosaccharides), double sugars (disaccharides), and complex sugars (polysaccharides).
• Examples of monosaccharides include glucose and fructose, while sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide, and starch and cellulose are polysaccharides.

Proteins

• Proteins are made up of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
• Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including acting as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies.
• The shape of a protein, determined by the sequence of amino acids, is critical to its function.

Lipids

• Lipids, or fats, are biological molecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar solvents.
• They provide energy, act as a storage medium for energy, and form cell membranes.
• There are various types of lipids, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids, specifically deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), carry genetic information in all living cells.
• DNA is responsible for storing and transferring genetic information, while RNA directly codes for amino acids and acts as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes to make proteins.

Water

• Water is not a biological molecule but is vital for life due to its unique properties.
• These properties include its ability to act as a solvent, its role in temperature regulation and its part in chemical reactions within the cell known as hydrolysis and condensation reactions.