Characteristics of Biomolecules

Biomolecules embody four essential categories: carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. It is crucial to understand their unique structures, properties, and functions within the human body.
Carbohydrates supply quick energy and are primarily comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They encompass monosaccharides like glucose, disaccharides like sucrose, and polysaccharides like starch and glycogen.
Proteins perform a wide range of functions including enzyme catalysis, transport of molecules, immune response, and more. Made from 20 types of amino acids, proteins exhibit complex structures - primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary - that dictate their functionality.
Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA carry genetic information in the cells. They are made of nucleotides that include a base, a sugar, and a phosphate group. DNA has a double-helix structure while the structure of RNA is single-stranded.
Lipids function as long-term energy storage, insulation, and hormone production. Unlike the other biomolecules, lipids are hydrophobic (water-repelling). They include fats, oils, phospholipids, waxes, and steroids.
Enzymes are special proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body (acting as catalysts). They work based on the lock and key model, where the enzyme (lock) has an active site that perfectly fits a specific substrate (key).
Vitamins are organic compounds that are needed in small amounts for normal growth and metabolism. There are two types: fat-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, & K) and water-soluble (Vitamin C & B-complex).
Minerals are inorganic substances required by the body for various purposes. Some examples include calcium for bone health, iron for blood, and zinc for the immune system.
Water isn’t a biomolecule but is essential in biochemistry as it’s a universal solvent and is required for numerous biochemical reactions.
Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, often found in lipids. They’re important as they can exist as isomers - same molecular formula but different structure - giving diversity to biomolecules in terms of their properties and functions.
Hydrogen bonding has a significant influence on the shape, properties, and functionality of biomolecules. These bonds are weak but are vital due to their quantity and their ability to influence the three-dimensional structure of biomolecules.