Biomolecules

Biomolecules are the basic building blocks of living organisms. They support various biological processes required for life. Biomolecules, primarily made of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, vary in size and structure.

Biomolecules are considered highly efficient machines or building materials. However, few of these biological molecules can even repair and replicate themselves. Every biomolecule has its own set of functions. However, in some instances, this function is unknown.

Several biomolecules form highly ordered and complex structures utilising energy from the environment.

All biological phenomena have a chemical and molecular basis. Therefore, it is essential to understand the chemistry of biomolecules and how they execute various functions. 

The study material notes on Biomolecules focus on the definition and significant types. It also covers the characteristics and functions of biomolecules. 

Types of biomolecules

There are four major categories of biomolecules. They are-

• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Nucleic acids

These biomolecules are the polymers of simple elements. So let’s now study each of them individually.

Carbohydrate:

These naturally occurring organic compounds are vital for all living organisms. In chemical terms, they are optically active polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones. The general formula to represent carbohydrates is Cx(H2O)y. They consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. 

A few examples of carbohydrates include animal starch or glycogen, cellulose, plant starch, etc. 

The monomer of carbohydrates is called monosaccharides. They don’t break down further into simpler forms. Examples are glucose, fructose, mannose, ribose, etc. 

Also, there are three more types of carbohydrates, such as

•  Trisaccharides: they give three monosaccharide molecules upon hydrolysis. For example, maltotriose.
•  Oligosaccharides: These carbohydrates can give two to nine monosaccharide molecules upon hydrolysis. For example, raffinose.
•  Polysaccharides: On hydrolysis, they can be split into multiple monosaccharide molecules, for example, starch and cellulose.

Lipids:

They are a heterogeneous group of organic compounds containing hydrocarbons and are water-insoluble. However, they readily dissolve in nonpolar organic solvents. They are esters of fatty acid and alcohol. The most common types of lipid groups are fats, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids. Lipids can be broadly classified into 

• Simple Lipids: These are the esters of fatty acid and glycerol. For example, fats, oils
• Compound Lipids: They are esters of fatty acid and glycerol and contain esterified phosphoric acid and a nitrogen base, for example, phospholipids sphingophospholipids.
• Derived Lipids: These are formed from simple and compound lipids by hydrolysis, for example, cholesterol stigmasterol. 

Proteins:

Proteins are large biomolecules made up of numerous smaller amino acids linked together to form peptide chains. They are made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, or sulphur. These biomolecules are required to maintain the structure, function, and regulation of the organs and tissues in your body. Each protein is different, primarily because its amino acid sequences are different. Examples are collagen, enzymes, haemoglobin, etc. 

Nucleic acid:

Nucleic acids are naturally occurring macromolecules responsible for storing vital information about us, i.e., our lineage and genetic setup. They are long-chain polymers containing oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon. The monomeric units of nucleic acid are called nucleotides, namely, Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, and Cytosine. 

The two primary nucleic acids are DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). In most living beings, DNA and RNA work together. 

Characteristics of biomolecules

The significant characteristics of the biomolecules are as follows. 

• Biomolecules are complex macromolecules that are made of smaller building blocks. 
•  The majority of the biomolecules are organic compounds since they consist of carbon.
•  The functional group present in them determines their chemical properties. 
•  They have particular dimensions and shapes. 
•  Many of the biomolecules are asymmetric.
•  The single building units of these macromolecules have a more straightforward structure.

Functions of biomolecules

Biomolecules are vital components of cells and perform a wide array of functions. It is required for the growth and survival of living organisms. The major categories of biological molecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These macromolecules have their specific functions. 

Conclusion

A biomolecule is an important topic included in all the central competitive examination syllabi. Therefore, candidates appearing for board examination or any national level examination will need to brush up their knowledge on biological molecules. 

Biomolecules are the building blocks of all living organisms. They play a vital role in all life processes, including disease development. Therefore, thorough study and accurate detection of biomolecules are required for disease diagnosis and therapy. 

The biomolecules study material focuses on the critical macromolecules, their characteristics, and their functions.