The Function of Biomolecules

Biomolecules: Molecules or Ions that essential to one or more biological process in the body

There are 4 main types of Biomolecules:

Carbohydrates are made of sugars

This large molecule is a complex carbohydrate or a poly-

saccharide.

This is a simple sugar or a mono-saccharide

What are some of your favorite foods that have sugar?

Collective Carbohydrate Food Groups

Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, and Sugar

There is a big difference between complex and simple carbs

Sugars are produced by plants during photosynthesis, and they are the primary source of

energy for most organisms.They also help to digest protein and fats

The Function of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide ENERGY!

There is a big difference between complex (good) and simple (bad) carbs

Glycogen Storage: Glucose (sugar) molecules are converted into Glycogen and stored in the liver until more energy is needed

How do you know if a food has added sugar?

➢ Check out the food label ✓

Carbohydrates are also used in the cell walls of plants and other organisms. When sugars are placed together into complex carbohydrates like cellulose they become very strong and rigid.

Cellulose

Diagrams by Eoin Fahy

LipidsLipids are the group of biomolecules that contains

fats, cholesterols, and phospholipids.

Fats are a primary example of lipids.

Fats are made of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acids.

Lipids can also be used to store large amounts of long term energy and warmth.

Gram for gram, lipids contain MORE ENERGY than carbohydrates. This is why your body

stores its extra energy in the form of fat.

Lipids are also the primary component of all of the cell’s membranes. Membranes are made out of phospholipid molecules.

Lipids

Phospholipid

How much fat per serving is in this food?

What is the difference between

saturated and trans fat?

Nucleic acids are made of nucleotides

This large molecule is a nucleic acid.

This is a nucleotide

Every nucleotide has 3 basic parts:1. The phosphate group2. A sugar called deoxyribose or ribose3. A nitrogen base

Nucleic AcidsThe primary function of nucleic acids is to store information.

RNA

The NA in DNA and RNA stands for Nucleic Acid!

ATP is a nucleotide. Instead of 1 phosphate group, there are 3 phosphate groups. The bonds between

these extra phosphate groups is where the energy is stored.

ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate, but you can remember that it gives cells All The Power!

1 Glucose 36 ATP

Nucleotides are also used to distribute energy more efficiently. The energy from 1 glucose is placed in to 36 ATP molecules.

The ATP molecules can deliver smaller amounts of energy so that energy is not wasted!

Proteins are made of amino acids

This large molecule is a protein.

This is an amino acid

This is because the bond that holds amino acids together in a protein is called a peptide bond.

Peptide Bonds

Proteins are also known as polypeptides.

How much protein is in this per serving?

Bonus: How much sugar per serving?

Proteins are the most diverse groups of

biomolecules, and they perform the largest

variety of functions in the cells.

Proteins

Image by Gareth White

Immunoglobin(Antibodies)

Hemoglobin

Insulin(Hormone)

Enzymes

Proteins can be used to transport molecules through cell

membranes, attack invading germs, carry oxygen through the blood and send signals through

the body!

Enzymes

Possibly the most important type of proteins are called enzymes. Enzymes are found in every cell,

and they speed up chemical reactions inside the cell.

Enzyme digesting a molecule

Enzymes speed up chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction

ReactantsProducts

H2O2H2O + O2

Hydrolase

2. Enzymes can also synthesize large molecules by putting small pieces together.

1. Enzymes can break apart or digest large molecules into smaller pieces.

Enzymes

All four classes of biomolecules are

considered ORGANIC

compounds. This is because they are all

based on the element CARBON.

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Nucleic Acids

IMPORTANT

FACT