General Introduction and Importance of Biomolecules

Introduction

Biomolecules are organic molecules that contain carbohydrates, protein, lipids and nucleic acids. They are essential for the survival of living cells. Biomolecules come in many sizes and shapes and fulfil many purposes in various arrangements. Many factors influence the creation and characteristics of biomolecules. The climate in which the biomolecule occurs is particularly influential. 

Types of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates, as the name suggests, are made up of carbon (carbo-) and hydrogen and oxygen (-hydrate) atoms. Carbohydrates are found in foods and drinks. They are one of the main sources of our energy. Carbohydrates come in many forms. They can be divided into two broad categories: simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, which you might know as sugars, are made of very few units of sugar molecules. Complex carbohydrates are made of many units of sugar.

Simple Carbohydrates:

Simple carbohydrates are further divided into two types: monosaccharides and disaccharides. 

Monosaccharides-  Monosaccharide, as the name suggests, contains one unit of sugar. They are easy to digest and metabolise and are important in digestion. All carbohydrates must be broken down into single units to be absorbed by the body. They are found in blood too. There are three kinds of monosaccharides: glucose, fructose and galactose. 

Glucose is produced by plants during photosynthesis and is very important for the human body for energy. It is found in many fruits, vegetables and naturally sweet foods like honey. Fructose is made by plants. This is a sweet carbohydrate that is responsible for making fruits taste sweet. Galactose is the carbohydrate found in milk and milk products like milk, butter etc. It is often found linked with glucose to form a disaccharide. 

Disaccharides contain two bonded sugar molecules. They are also divided into three different categories: maltose, sucrose and lactose. High levels of maltose are found in grains. Sucrose, along with glucose and fructose, is found in high levels in fruits and vegetables. It is also the main molecular ingredient in the sugar found in your home. Lactose consists of one galactose and one glucose molecule bonded together. This is found in milk and milk products.

Complex Carbohydrates:

Complex carbohydrates or polysaccharides contain many sugar molecules. They come in three forms: starch, glycogen and fibre. 

Starch consists of long chains of glucose. It is how carbohydrates are stored in plants. Starch often comes with other valuable nutrients essential for a healthy diet. On the other hand, glycogen is how animals store carbohydrates in their body. It is important for the activity of muscles. It is made by our bodies for energy. Though the human body cannot break it down, fibre is vital for digestive health.

Proteins

Protein is a complex substance found in all living beings. It contains amino acids. Proteins include many important biological compounds like enzymes, hormones and antibodies. They are essential for human existence and are of great nutritional importance.

A protein molecule is massive and very complex compared to sugar or salt molecules. It is made up of many different amino acids that are assembled to form long chains.

Proteins are essential for growth. Interestingly, unlike carbohydrates, they are not reserved for later use in animals. If an animal consumes extra proteins, they are converted into fats and provide energy or stored for later use. If an animal is not getting enough protein, the body will tell protein-rich tissues to pause their function to prioritise other essential processes. This leads to muscle weakening and even death if the lack is severe. Proteins also work as antibodies and animals from numerous diseases.

Types of Proteins

Proteins come in many forms and perform many important functions. There are seven main types of proteins: 

1. Structural proteins: In this, the proteins are fibrous proteins that are hard and insoluble in water. Structural proteins are the base of connective tissues, bones and tendons etc. They are also essential for supporting other proteins like keratin (found in hair) and collagen (found in the skin). 
2. Enzymes: Enzymes are rounded proteins known as natural catalysts. They are crucial to healthy digestive processes in animals.
3. Hormones: Hormones are proteins that produce and regulate emotional and bodily functions. Insulin controls sugar in the blood, while oxytocin is important in giving birth. 
4. Antibodies: Antibody proteins are crucial for the body’s response to viruses and other illnesses. 
5. Storage Proteins: As the name suggests, storage proteins store amino acids and other proteins in the body until the body needs them.
6. Transport Proteins: Transport proteins, again as the name suggests, facilitate the movement and delivery of proteins throughout the body.
7. Contractile Proteins: Contractile proteins enable the movement of muscles through contraction and expansion. If you move your hand and make it a fist, contractile proteins make it happen.

Lipids 

Lipids are organic elements that are insoluble in water and soluble in organic compounds. Lipids are related to fatty acids and are used by living cells for many purposes. Many lipids, especially steroid hormones, act as chemical messengers between the cells, tissues and parts, while others transmit signals between biochemical operations within an individual cell.

Lipids are essential in food as energy sources and as derivations of necessary fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, which manage to be associated with fats. Nevertheless, fat is the sole purpose we are here. Lipids also provide satiety, taste and deliciousness to the food.

Functions of lipids in the body include:

• Forming the structural foundation of membranes
• Acting as energy storehouses
• Acting as important signalling molecules
• Creating insulation in the body to protect vital organs

Lipids can be divided into four types. Each type performs specific functions.

1. Fats: Fatty acids are made up of hydrocarbon chains of 4-36 carbons and one acidic group. Fatty acids may be straight or spread out. 
2. Waxes: Waxes are formulated of hydrocarbon chains of 14-36 carbons and are synthesised by various plants and animals. 
3. Phospholipids: They are made up of l phospholipid groups with lipids. These lipids are responsible for maintaining the structure of cell membranes.
4. Steroids: Steroids are important to the body’s biological functions and play an important role in producing hormones.

Nucleic acids

These acids contain all of a living being’s genetic information. They are crucial for reproduction and passing on these genetics to the next generation of the species. Nucleic acids are of two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). 

The Importance of Biomolecules

• Biomolecules are important to all living creatures
• The body uses all these different kinds of biomolecules to maintain its life in a process called homeostasis
• All biomolecules include a monomer or a natural molecule
• They come together and create long chains known as polymers
• Biomolecules are vital in understanding the physiological processes responsible for the existence and development of all living beings

Conclusion

Biomolecules are essential for existence. They are responsible for the growth, sustenance and reproduction of all organisms. Biomolecules are in all organisms, from individual cells to complex life forms like humans and animals.

The research of biomolecules is known as biochemistry. Biochemistry studies the arrangements, functions, interactions and reactions of biomolecules. Many things about biomolecules are still a mystery; however, new methods are constantly being developed and used to discover more about them and their central role in life on Earth.