BIOMOLECULES
Lady Graziella T. Dongon
BIOMOLECULES
organic compounds made by living things
also called BIOCHEMICALS
some are very large-POLYMERS
there are thousands of biomolecules but are
separated into 4 CATEGORIES
BIOMOLECULES
INORGANIC ORGANIC
MINERALS CARBOHYDRATES
GASES LIPIDS
WATER AMINO ACIDS
PROTEINS
ENZYMES
NUCLEOTIDES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
VITAMINS
BIOMOLECULES
MICRO MOLECULES MACROMOLECULES
SMALL SIZED, LOW MOL WT. LARGE SIZED, HIGH MOL. WT. ABOVE
BETWEEN 18 AND 800 1000 DALTONS FOUND IN ACID
DALTONS. FOUND IN THE ACID INSOLUBLE POOL
SOLUBLE POOL EX. CARBOHYDRATES, LIPIDS,
EX. MINERALS, GASES, WATER, PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS
SUGARS, AMINO ACIDS AND
NUCLEOTIDES
4 CATEGORIES OF BIOMOLECULES
1. CARBOHYDRATES
2. LIPIDS
3. PROTEINS
4. NUCLEIC ACIDS
1. CARBOHYDRATES
derived from the french term “hydrate de carbone”
the simplest biomolecules
it is a hydrate of carbon Cn(H2O)n
contains 3 elements
-carbon
-hydrogen
-oxygen
1. CARBOHYDRATES
most common organic molecule
elements present: C,H,O (1:2:1)
MONOMER (building block)
MONOSACCHARIDE (Glucose is most common)
POLYMER: POLYSACCHARIDES (starch,
glycogen, cellulose, chitin)
Examples: chocolate, bread, pasta, fruits,
vegetables (all forms of plants)
2 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATES
1. SOURCE OF CHEMICAL ENERGY FOR CELLS IN MANY
LIVING THINGS
2. PART OF THE STRUCTURAL MATERIAL OF PLANTS
SUBTYPES OF CARBOHYDRATES
MONOSACCHARIDES (C6H12O6)
Mono-one sacchar- sugar
simple sugars and monomers
of Carbohydrates
have a formula of (CH2O)n, they
typically contain three to seven
carbon atoms
the universal cellular fuel
EXAMPLES OF MONOSACCHARIDES
1.Glucose- the primary energy
source in cell “ Blood Sugar”
2.Fructose-found in fruits and
honey, sweetest natural
sugar.
3.Galactose-part of lactose
(milk sugar)
DISACCHARIDES
are composed of 2 molecules of simple sugar bonded
together by GLYCOSIDIC BOND- a type of bond that joins
the carbohydrate molecule to another.
DOUBLE SUGARS ( C12H22O11)
DISACCHARIDES
SUCROSE (table sugar)- Glucose + Fructose
- found in sugar cane, sugar beets, fruits
-main transport in plants
LACTOSE (milk sugar)- Glucose + Galactose
- found in milk and dairy products
- source of energy for infants
MALTOSE (malt sugar)- Glucose + Glucose
- found in germinating seeds, produced during starch digestion
- important in carbohydrate metabolism
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
are made up of 2 to 10 monosaccharide
units linked by glycosidic bonds
they are found naturally in plants.
they are MIDLY SWEET
serves as substitute for fats and sugars
in some foods as well as to improve the
texture of the food.
POLYSACCHARIDES
complex sugars (C6H10O5)
where n is the number of
carbon atoms
examples: Starch, Glycogen,
Cellulose, Chitin
EXAMPLES OF POLYSACCHARIDES
STARCH(plants)-made of Amylose+ Amylopectin
-main energy storage in plants
-ex. rice, corn potatoes
GLYCOGEN (animals, fungi)-used for energy storage in animals
-stored in liver and muscles for quick
energy released.
CELLULOSE (plants)-main component of plant cell walls; indigestible for
humans (fiber).
CHITIN (arthropods and fungi)-forms exoskeleton of insects, crustaceans, and
cell walls of fungi; made of N-acetylglucosamine (a modified glucose).
CELLULOSE
STARCH
CHITIN
TEST FOR CARBOHYDRATES
1.Iodine Test
- test used to determine the presence of starch in materials
-Positive result for the iodine (starch is present)was a color
ranging from Violet to Black
-Negative result( no starch) was the yellow color
(no change of the iodine solution)
2. Benedict’s Test
-test used for simple carbohydrates
-GREEN -0.1 to 0.5 percent sugar in solution
YELLOW- 0.5 to 1 percent of sugar present
ORANGE-1 to 1.5 percent of sugar is present
RED-then 1.5 to 2.0 percent sugar is present
BRICK RED- more than 2 percent sugar is present
in solution.
LIPIDS
Function: store energy, insulates your
body and make up the cell membrane.
Elements: C-H-O
Monomer (building block): glycero and 3
fatty acids
Polymer: Phospholipids and
Triglycerides
Examples: Steroids, cholesterol, fats,
oils, nuts, waxes and make up part of
the cell membrane.
LIPIDS
Lipids are HYDROPHOBIC ( water fearing) and do not
dissolve in water
It can be
SATURATED-the bonds between all
carbons are single bonds
-solid at room temperature
-mainly animal fats (bacon, grease, lard)
UNSATURATED-there is at least one double
or triple bond between carbon present
-liquid at room temperature
-mainly plant based fats (olive oil, peanut
oil) as well as oily fish (Tuna, sardines)
LIPID STRUCTURES
REMEMBER: ELEMENTS PRESENT
ARE C, H, O
LONG STRANDS OF CARBON AND
HYDROGEN
Fats and Oils (Triglycerides)
Meaning: Made of glycerol + 3 fatty acids. They are used mainly for long-term energy storage and insulation.
Examples: Butter, lard, olive oil, coconut oil.
Phospholipids
Meaning: Lipids that contain a phosphate group. They form the main structure of cell membranes (phospholipid bilayer).
Examples: Lecithin (from egg yolk, soybeans), phosphatidylserine.
Steroids
Meaning: Lipids with a four-ring carbon structure, functioning as hormones or membrane stabilizers.
Examples: Cholesterol (in cell membranes), testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol.
Waxes
Meaning: Lipids made of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols; they provide protection and waterproofing.
Examples: Beeswax, plant leaf wax, earwax.
PROTEINS
FUNCTIONS:
1. transport molecules in and out of
the cell
2. control the speed of chemical
reactions
3. used for growth and repair
Proteins make up the structure of living
things ....hair, nails, bones, muscles, etc
are all built by protein.
PROTEINS
ELEMENTS: C-H-O-N
MONOMER: amino acids ( 2o different amino acids)
POLYMER: proteins (tons)
EXAMPLES: hemoglobin in Red Blood Cells, Albumin in eggs,Enzymes that
control reactions in the body and antibodies.
FOUND: fish, eggs, meat
PROTEIN STRUCTURES
Remeber: Elements are C,
H,O, and N
“R” groups represent one
of the 20 amino acids( so
each amino acids has
something different in
that spot
WHY ARE AMINO ACIDS IMPORTANT?
when groups of amino acids are joined together a PROTEIN
is formed.
they consist of CARBOXYL GROUP (COOH) and amino group
NH2
Peptide bonds form between amino acids
polypeptide=many peptide bonds=protein
WHY ARE AMINO ACIDS IMPORTANT?
when groups of amino acids are joined together a PROTEIN
is formed.
they consist of CARBOXYL GROUP (COOH) and amino group
NH2
Peptide bonds form between amino acids
polypeptide=many peptide bonds=protein
20 AMINO ACIDS
Nonpolar (Hydrophobic) Amino Acids
👉 Meaning: These amino acids have side chains that don’t like water; they help form the inner core of
proteins.
Glycine (Gly, G) – smallest amino acid, provides flexibility
Alanine (Ala, A) – simple structure, helps in energy metabolism
Valine (Val, V) – branched-chain amino acid, important for muscle growth
Leucine (Leu, L) – branched-chain, stimulates protein synthesis
Isoleucine (Ile, I) – branched-chain, helps regulate blood sugar and energy
Methionine (Met, M) – contains sulfur, important in starting protein synthesis
Proline (Pro, P) – creates bends in proteins, important for collagen
Phenylalanine (Phe, F) – aromatic, precursor of tyrosine and neurotransmitters
Tryptophan (Trp, W) – aromatic, precursor of serotonin and melatonin
20 AMINO ACIDS
Polar (Hydrophilic) Uncharged Amino Acids
👉 Meaning: Side chains can form hydrogen bonds; important for protein interactions.
10. Serine (Ser, S) – involved in enzyme activity and signaling
11. Threonine (Thr, T) – helps in immune function and collagen production
12. Cysteine (Cys, C) – contains sulfur, forms disulfide bonds for protein stability
13. Tyrosine (Tyr, Y) – precursor of hormones (thyroxine, dopamine)
14. Asparagine (Asn, N) – helps with protein folding and stability
15. Glutamine (Gln, Q) – fuel for rapidly dividing cells, nitrogen transport
20 AMINO ACIDS
polar Charged (Acidic Amino Acids)
👉 Meaning: Negatively charged at body pH; often involved in enzyme active sites.
16. Aspartic acid (Asp, D) – helps in energy cycles and neurotransmission
17. Glutamic acid (Glu, E) – major excitatory neurotransmitter
Polar Charged (Basic Amino Acids)
👉 Meaning: Positively charged at body pH; interact with DNA/RNA.
18. Lysine (Lys, K) – important for growth, collagen, and calcium absorption
19. Arginine (Arg, R) – precursor of nitric oxide (blood vessel relaxation)
20. Histidine (His, H) – key in enzyme active sites, precursor of histamine
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Function: Provide our genetic information and holds the
instructions to make proteins.
Elements: C-H-O-N-P
Monomer: nucleotides
A NUCLEOTIDE is made up of sugar, phosphate, Nitrogen base
A,T,G,C or U
Polymer: DNA, RNA, and ATP
STRUCTURE OF NUCLEIC ACID
THANK YOU
