Biomolecules

What is a Biomolecule? Life on earth is based on carbon compounds that we call biomolecules. Biomolecules are macromolecules or “giant molecules.” They are giant because they are polymers made of hundreds or even thousands of smaller molecules called monomers. Four of the major kinds of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates Examples are Glucose(sugar), glycogen, cellulose and starch Functions– the body’s main or primary source of energy Structure:  elements are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio Building blocks or Monomers are Monosaccharides (or simple sugar)

Carbohydrates

Lipids Examples are fat, oil and waxes Function: long term storage of energy, main structural component of the cell membrane Structure:  elements are  carbon, hydrogen and oxygen but much less oxygen than carbohydrates; more difficult to break down than carbohydrates Building blocks or Monomers are Glycerol and Fatty acid chains

Lipids

Proteins Examples are muscles, enzymes, antibodies, protein channels, hormones Function: control rate of chemical reactions, control the movement of molecules across the cell membrane and  major functional component of living things Structure: elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen Building Blocks or Monomers are Amino Acids

Proteins

Nucleic Acids Examples are DNA and RNA Function: to store and transmit hereditary information Structure:  elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous Building block or Monomer-- Nucleotide

Nucleic Acids