BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
Key Concepts:
Overview: Biological molecules are essential for cell structure, function, and overall
metabolism, and they include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
1. Carbohydrates:
o Composition: Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (ratio 1:2:1).
o Types:
Monosaccharides: Simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose).
Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides linked together
(e.g., sucrose).
Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharides
(e.g., starch in plants, glycogen in animals).
o Functions: Primary energy source for cells; polysaccharides serve as energy
storage or structural components (e.g., cellulose in plant cell walls).
2. Proteins:
o Composition: Made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; contain carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
o Structure:
Primary Structure: Sequence of amino acids.
Secondary Structure: Coiling or folding patterns (e.g., alpha helices).
Tertiary Structure: Overall 3D shape of a single polypeptide.
Quaternary Structure: Structure of a protein with multiple polypeptides.
o Functions: Structural support (e.g., collagen), enzymes, transport (e.g.,
hemoglobin), and antibodies in immunity.
3. Lipids:
o Composition: Primarily carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but with a lower
proportion of oxygen than carbohydrates.
o Types:
Fats and Oils: Triglycerides for long-term energy storage.
Phospholipids: Major component of cell membranes.
Steroids: Include hormones like cholesterol.
o Functions: Energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure.
4. Nucleic Acids:
o Composition: Made of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous
base).
o Types:
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Contains genetic information; double-
helix structure.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): Involved in protein synthesis.
o Functions: DNA stores genetic information, and RNA assists in translating this
information into proteins.
Importance:
Carbohydrates provide quick energy.
Proteins perform a wide range of functions from structure to catalysis.
Lipids store energy and make up the cell membrane.
Nucleic acids carry and transmit genetic information.
