Biomolecules (Updated 2023)

Summary

This script explores the fundamental biomolecules essential for life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It explains their structures, monomers, and roles in cells and organisms. Carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural components, lipids form cell membranes and provide insulation and energy storage, proteins are crucial for structure, enzymes, and immunity, while nucleic acids carry genetic information. The mnemonic 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' helps remember their elemental composition, highlighting the beauty and importance of biomolecule structure in cellular function.

Takeaways

• 🍞 Carbohydrates are a major source of energy for cells and include monosaccharides like glucose, which is crucial for ATP production.
• 🥜 Peanut butter is an example of a food high in both proteins and lipids, highlighting the presence of different biomolecules in various foods.
• 🧬 Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are essential for storing genetic information and directing cellular activities.
• 🥑 Lipids, such as fats and oils, are hydrophobic and form the basis of cell membranes due to their structure, including the phospholipid bilayer.
• 🥚 Proteins are composed of amino acids and are vital for cell structure, function, and as enzymes and antibodies in metabolic processes and immune response.
• 🌾 Plants and fungi have cell walls made of carbohydrates, specifically cellulose and chitin, respectively, which provide structural support.
• 🍓 When consuming food from living organisms, such as strawberries, you are also ingesting nucleic acids like DNA found within the cells.
• 🥩 Proteins are a significant component of muscle tissue and other structures like hair and collagen, playing a crucial role in the body's composition.
• 🧠 Lipids serve as insulation, aiding in temperature regulation and electrical impulse transmission in cells, like the myelin sheath in neurons.
• 🥦 Carbohydrates can be stored as polysaccharides like starch in plants or glycogen in animals, serving as a reserve energy source.
• 🧬 The mnemonic 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' helps remember the major elements found in carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, respectively.

Q & A

What are the four main classes of biomolecules?

The four main classes of biomolecules are Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids.

What is the term used to describe the building blocks of large biomolecules?

The term used to describe the building blocks of large biomolecules is 'monomer'.

Which type of biomolecule is glucose an example of, and what is its primary role in the cell?

Glucose is an example of a monosaccharide, which is the monomer of carbohydrates. Its primary role in the cell is to be used in cellular respiration to make ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

What is the significance of the -ose ending in the names of sugars?

The -ose ending in the names of sugars is a common suffix that can serve as a clue that the substance is a carbohydrate.

How do carbohydrates serve as a major energy source for cells?

Carbohydrates serve as a major energy source for cells because they can be quickly accessed and converted into ATP during cellular respiration.

What are some examples of lipids and their general property?

Examples of lipids include fats and oils, such as butter and olive oil. A general property of lipids is that they are hydrophobic or contain a significant hydrophobic component, meaning they do not dissolve in water.

Why are phospholipids important for cell membranes?

Phospholipids are important for cell membranes because they form the phospholipid bilayer, which is the fundamental structure of cell membranes.

What is the monomer of a protein?

The monomer of a protein is an amino acid.

How do proteins contribute to the structure and function of cells?

Proteins contribute to the structure and function of cells by forming various tissues, acting as enzymes to catalyze metabolic processes, serving as receptors for cell signaling, and being involved in immune responses as antibodies.

What are nucleic acids and what is their monomer?

Nucleic acids are biomolecules that include DNA and RNA. Their monomer is called a nucleotide.

What is the significance of nucleic acids in the context of genetics and cell function?

Nucleic acids are significant in genetics and cell function as they contain the genetic information in the form of DNA and RNA, which is essential for the coding of traits and directing cellular activities.

What is the mnemonic 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' used to remember, and what does it represent?

The mnemonic 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' is used to remember the major and most common elements found in the four classes of biomolecules: Carbohydrates (CHO), Lipids (CHO), Proteins (CHON), and Nucleic Acids (CHONP).