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).

Outlines

00:00

🍞 Biomolecules: The Building Blocks of Life

This paragraph introduces the concept of biomolecules, which are large molecules essential for life, also known as macromolecules. It discusses the four main classes of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and their presence in various foods. The paragraph also explains the term 'monomer' as the basic building block of these macromolecules. Carbohydrates are highlighted as a major energy source for cells, with glucose as a key example, and their role in forming cell walls in plants and fungi. The importance of biomolecules in the structure and function of cells, and by extension, the entire organism, is emphasized.

05:01

🧈 Lipids and Proteins: Diverse Roles in Cells

The second paragraph delves into lipids, which include fats and oils, and their significance in cell membrane structure due to phospholipids. It explains lipids' hydrophobic nature and their roles in energy storage, insulation, and as chemical messengers in the form of hormones. The paragraph then transitions to proteins, highlighting their composition from amino acids and their crucial structural and functional roles in organisms. Proteins are integral to muscle tissue, hair, collagen, and as enzymes and antibodies in metabolic processes and immune response. The paragraph concludes with a brief introduction to nucleic acids, mentioning their presence in all living cells and their importance in genetic information and coding for traits.

Keywords

💡Biomolecules

Biomolecules, also known as macromolecules, are large molecules essential for life. They are the building blocks of organisms and include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In the video, biomolecules are central to the theme as they form the basis of the structure and function of cells, which in turn make up the entire organism.

💡Monomer

A monomer is the basic building block of a polymer. In the context of the video, monomers are the individual units that make up the larger biomolecules. For example, monosaccharides are the monomers of carbohydrates, and amino acids are the monomers of proteins. Understanding monomers is crucial for grasping how biomolecules are synthesized and function within cells.

💡Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are biomolecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, primarily serving as an energy source for organisms. The script mentions that monosaccharides like glucose are the monomers of carbohydrates and are used in cellular respiration to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Carbohydrates also form structural components like cellulose in plants and chitin in fungi.

💡Lipids

Lipids are a diverse group of biomolecules that include fats and oils. They are hydrophobic and serve multiple functions, such as energy storage, cell membrane structure, and insulation. The script highlights that lipids are the building blocks of cell membranes through phospholipids and can also act as hormones and provide thermal insulation, as seen in the blubber of seals.

💡Proteins

Proteins are complex biomolecules made up of amino acids and are vital for the structure, function, and regulation of cells' activities. The video explains that proteins can form muscle tissue, act as enzymes to catalyze metabolic reactions, and serve as antibodies for immune response. They are also involved in cell signaling and are coded by many genes.

💡Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, are biomolecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information. The script points out that nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids, and these acids are found in every living cell, directing cellular activities and coding for traits.

💡ATP

ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the primary energy currency of the cell. The script explains that glucose, a monosaccharide, is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP, highlighting its role as a fast energy source for cells.

💡Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is a lipid bilayer that encloses cells, controlling the movement of substances in and out. The script emphasizes the role of phospholipids in forming the cell membrane structure, which is crucial for maintaining the cell's integrity and function.

💡Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules formed by linking many monosaccharides together. The video mentions that polysaccharides like starch and glycogen serve as energy storage in plants and animals, respectively.

💡Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in the body. The script explains that most enzymes are made of proteins and are involved in metabolic processes, such as building up or breaking down substances.

💡Mnemonic

A mnemonic is a memory aid, and the script introduces 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' as a mnemonic to remember the major elements found in the four types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. This mnemonic helps in understanding the composition and elemental arrangement in biomolecules.

Highlights

Food preferences vary, but all foods provide biomolecules essential for life.

Biomolecules, also known as macromolecules, include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Peanut butter is an example of a food high in proteins and lipids.

This video focuses on biomolecules' role in cell structure and function, not nutrition.

The term 'monomer' refers to the building blocks of biomolecules.

Carbohydrates are abundant in foods like bread, pasta, fruit, and vegetables.

Monosaccharides, like glucose, are the monomers of carbohydrates and crucial for ATP production.

Disaccharides, such as maltose, are formed by combining two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides are large carbohydrates like starch and glycogen, used for energy storage.

Plants and fungi have cell walls made of carbohydrates like cellulose and chitin.

Lipids, including fats and oils, are diverse and often hydrophobic.

Phospholipids form the cell membrane structure, crucial for cellular function.

Lipids serve as long-term energy storage and play a role in insulation and hormone production.

Proteins are made of amino acids and are essential for tissue structure and cell signaling.

Enzymes and antibodies, both proteins, are vital for metabolic processes and immune response.

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, contain genetic information and code for traits.

Nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids, essential for cellular activities.

Mnemonic 'CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP' helps remember the major elements in biomolecules.

The arrangement of elements in biomolecules greatly impacts their function.

Transcripts

I want you to think for a moment  about your very favorite food. What  

is it? We all have different food preferences,  

but food is a source of large molecules that  are needed for life called biomolecules. Also  

known as macromolecules. Carbohydrates,  Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids.

In different types of food, you might find higher  amounts of these biomolecules. For example,  

peanut butter can be high in both proteins and  lipids. And while we’ll mention examples of  

foods that contain different biomolecules in this  video, this is not a video on nutrition – this is  

a video on the classes of biomolecules and their  importance to the structure and function of cells.  

And, therefore, also to the entire organism  because organisms consist of these cells.

Before we get into details  about the 4 biomolecules,  

we need to talk about one very important vocab  word. The word monomer. A monomer is a building  

block – if I had some large substance, the  parts that make up that substance are called  

monomers. With each biomolecule class, we  will mention its monomer if it applies.

We’ll start with the biomolecule  class of carbohydrates. Generally,  

food sources such as bread, pasta, fruit, and  vegetables tend to be high in carbohydrates.  

The monomer of a carbohydrate, remember:  that means the building block, is the  

monosaccharide. One example of a monosaccharide  is the sugar glucose. Glucose is a pretty  

big deal considering it’s used in cellular  respiration to make ATP, an energy currency.  

If two monosaccharides – such as glucose - are  combined, you can get a disaccharide. For example,  

put these two glucose sugars together,and  you get the disaccharide maltose. By the way,  

a lot of sugars have that -ose ending.  Glucose, maltose, lactose, sucrose,  

fructose – I could go on. The ending -ose can  be a carbohydrate clue. If you join a lot of  

monosaccharides together, that can combine  to make a polysaccharide. A big carbohydrate.

So how are carbohydrates important to an organism  and the structure and function of its cells? Well,  

plants have cell walls of carbohydrates,  specifically a large one known as cellulose.  

Fungi have cell walls of carbohydrates too,  specifically one known as chitin. Fun Fact:  

that carbohydrate chitin is also what  makes up the exoskeleton of insects.

We mentioned glucose is used to make  ATP, that makes carbohydrates a fast  

source of energy for cells. So that’s a big  function for carbs: a major energy source  

that cells can access. That energy can also be  stored in a polysaccharide form ---remember,  

polysaccharide is a big carbohydrate---such  as starch for plants or glycogen for animals.

Next up: lipids. Lipids include fats and oils;  examples of food sources could include butter  

or olive oil. This is a seriously diverse  group. Meaning there are a lot of types of  

lipids. There are triglycerides. There  are phospholipids. There are steroids.  

These are just some examples. Most – but  not all - lipids have building blocks of  

glycerol and fatty acids. One thing though  that lipids generally share? Generally,  

they’re hydrophobic or at least contain  a significant hydrophobic component. That  

means- lipids or at least a major component of  them- don’t like water. Lipids generally won’t  

dissolve in water. And that’s interesting  as generally, the other biomolecules will.

So how are lipids important to an organism and the  structure and function of its cells? Remember how  

we said all cells – plant cells, animal cells,  all cells- have membranes? Well thank you,  

phospholipids, for that phospholipid  bilayer – because that’s right,  

lipids make up cell membrane structure.  Lipids have a major function of being a  

source of long-term energy storage – you  remember how we said carbohydrates were a  

fast source of energy but when those carbs are  used up, lipids have a function as long-term  

energy storage that an organism can use. Lipids  also are very important for different types of  

insulation. The insulation may involve helping  a cell carry an electrical impulse: for example,  

this myelin sheath made of lipids that can be  found on many neurons. Or the insulation may  

involve temperature regulation so thermal  insulation: for example, the blubber on  

this adult harp seal is made of lipids, helping it  conserve heat. Another cool function about lipids:  

many lipids act as hormones which are chemical  messengers for many different processes.

Next: proteins! Protein food sources include  beans, meat, nuts, and eggs. The monomer of  

a protein is an amino acid. Usually, proteins  consist of many amino acids bonded together.  

There are different types of amino acids. So  how are proteins important to an organism and  

the structure and function of its cells?  Structure wise, tissue like muscle tissue,  

consists heavily of proteins. Proteins can  make up all kinds of other structures – hair  

or collagen - for example. Proteins can also  be found embedded in cell membranes as protein  

channels and channels are important to that cell  membrane structure with functions of letting  

certain substances pass through. Proteins  can also be receptors which are critical in  

cell signaling so cells can coordinate actions  together. Most enzymes are made of proteins.  

Remember enzymes can build up or break down  substances in all kinds of metabolic processes.  

Antibodies – which are made by immune cells in  your body - are proteins and they are involved  

in protecting your body. And some critical  hormones such as insulin are proteins. And when  

we start talking about genes – genes are made  of DNA – but many genes do code for proteins.

And that brings us to our last one that includes  DNA: nucleic acids. Nucleic acids include DNA and  

RNA, which we'll get to in more depth when we  get to genetics. Nucleic acids have a monomer  

called a nucleotide. That's going to be an easy  one for you to remember because nucleotide sounds  

like nucleic acid. By the way, you might wonder:  are nucleic acids like DNA and RNA found in my  

food? And the answer would be yes! Whenever you  eat something that came from something living,  

it actually could still have DNA inside  it. For example, when you eat a strawberry,  

you're actually crunching all the cells that  made up that strawberry. In the nucleus of  

all of those strawberry cells is DNA. Any type  of life -like plants or animals or fungi or  

bacteria- they must contain nucleic acids  like DNA to direct the cells' activities.

How are nucleic acids important for your  cells? Well, most of your cells contain  

all of your genetic information in the form  of nucleic acids -DNA and RNA- and this is  

needed for the coding of your traits. Traits  involved in structure and various functions.

Ok so we just did a very general  tour of 4 biomolecules. Before we go,  

I just have to marvel at biomolecule  structure. Because it’s absolutely  

beautiful. So if I arrange them in the order we  did: carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids:  

how might we remember the major and most  common elements in them? There’s a popular  

mnemonic known as CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP  – although it’s “chomp” with an “n” - to  

help remember the C – carbon, H-hydrogen,  O-oxygen, N-nitrogen, and P-phosphorous.

Does that mean you won’t find other elements  in the biomolecules? Of course not! But it’s  

important to understand the arrangement  of these elements in biomolecules,  

because the structure of the arrangement  greatly impacts their function. You can  

learn more in our further reading  suggestions in the description. Well,  

that’s it for the Amoeba Sisters,  and we remind you to stay curious.