Naturally- occurring organic compounds that are produced and used by living organisms are called biomolecules. Biomolecules are classified into four major classes, namely, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Each biomolecule has specific structure and function which differentiates one from each other.
The basic information on the various biomolecules is essential for a better understanding of the concepts of biotechnology. The biomolecules namely nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) which are directly relevant to biotechnology are described. Class # 1. Carbohydrates:
The organic compounds such as amino acids, nucleotides and monosaccharide’s serve as the monomeric units or building blocks of complex biomolecules — proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and polysaccharides, respectively.
The macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and polysaccharides) form supra-molecular assemblies (e.g. membranes) which in turn organize into organelles, cells, tissues, organs and finally the whole organism. Chemical composition of man: The chemical composition of a normal man, weighing 65 kg, is given in Table 65.2.
The four major types of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
There are four major classes of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids), and each is an important component of the cell and performs a wide array of functions. Combined, these molecules make up the majority of a cell's mass.
There are four major classes of large biological molecules—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Four Main Biological MoleculesCarbohydrates.Lipids.Proteins.Nucleic Acid.
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the genetic blueprint of a cell and carry instructions for the functioning of the cell.
These include chemicals that are composed of mainly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. Biomolecules are the building blocks of life and perform important functions in living organisms. More: Biomolecules include amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids.
Biomolecules are composed primarily of the elements carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. The structured assembly of these elements forms the basis for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids.
The four main macromolecules are proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids. They are an important part of the cell and perform essential functions. Proteins are required for growth and maintenance, immunity and also act as enzymes, hormones, etc. Carbohydrates are the main energy source.
In reality, however, fats and oils and other similar molecules have very important roles to play in cells. Fats and oils are part of a class of biomolecules called lipids, which are loosely defined as biomolecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like hexane or chloroform.
All living things are made up of four classes of larger biological molecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, Nucleic acids.
3 days agoCarbohydrates are the most abundant among the major classes of biomolecules. Carbohydrate (biology definition): any of the group of organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio of 1:2:1, hence the general formula: Cn (H2O) n. Synonyms: saccharide, carb.
Four Major Types of Biomolecules. Approximately 10,000 to 100,000 molecules are present in a cell to regulate bodily function. But the four major types of biomolecules include carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Most of the other compounds are derivatives of these major primary compounds.
Complex biomolecules: ADVERTISEMENTS: The organic compounds such as amino acids, nucleotides and monosaccharide’s serve as the monomeric units or building blocks of complex biomolecules — proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and polysaccharides, respectively.
A single cell of the bacterium, Escherichia coli contains about 6,000 different organic compounds. It is believed that man may contain about 100,000 different types of molecules although only a few of them have been characterized.
Glycogen is the carbohydrate reserve in animals, hence often referred to as animal starch. It is present in high concentration in liver, followed by muscle, brain etc. Glycogen is also found in plants that do not possess chlorophyll (e.g. yeast, fungi). The structure of glycogen is similar to that of amylopectin with more number of branches. Glucose is the repeating unit in glycogen joined together by α (1 → 4) glycosidic bonds, and α (1 → 6) glycosidic bonds at branching points.
Oligosaccharides (Greek: oligo-few) contain 2-10 monosaccharide molecules which are liberated on hydrolysis. Based on the number of monosaccharide units present, the oligosaccharides are further subdivided to disaccharides, tri- saccharides etc.
Note that a dipeptide will have two amino acids and one peptide (not two) bond. Peptides containing more than 10 amino acids (decapeptide) are referred to as polypeptides .
When one or more hydroxyl groups of the monosaccharide’s are replaced by amino groups, the products formed are amino sugars e.g. D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine. They are present as constituents of heteropoly- saccharides.
Glucose contains 4 asymmetric carbons and thus has 16 isomers.