The Structure of Biomolecules

All living things need energy and nutrients All living things need energy and nutrients. Most organisms get their energy and nutrients from their FOOD in the form of biomolecules. Proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids are the 4 main classes of biomolecules.

Nucleic acids Proteins Carbohydrates 3 of the 4 classes of biomolecules are classified as polymers. These are long molecules are made of very similar, repeating monomers. Nucleic acids Proteins Carbohydrates

Understanding the Vocabulary Photo by Toni Lozano When we say “polymer” we are referring to the whole molecule. What would you call the entire object above? It is a chain. I would say that chains are like polymers.

It is a link. I would say that links are like monomers. Polymer: chain Monomer: link Photo by Toni Lozano When we say “monomer” we are referring to the individual piece that keeps repeating. What would you call the individual pieces of a chain? It is a link. I would say that links are like monomers.

The entire chain is the polymer, and each monkey is a monomer. In this picture, what would you say is the polymer, and what would be the monomers? The entire chain is the polymer, and each monkey is a monomer.

Carbohydrates are made of sugars This is a simple sugar This large molecule is a complex carbohydrate.

Carbohydrates are also known as saccharides. monosaccharide oligosaccharide disaccharide polysaccharide

This large molecule is a protein. Proteins are made of amino acids This is an amino acid This large molecule is a protein.

Proteins are also known as polypeptides. This is because the bond that holds amino acids together in a protein is called a peptide bond. Peptide Bonds

Nucleic acids are made of nucleotides This is a nucleotide This large molecule is a nucleic acid.

Nucleic Acids RNA DNA and RNA are the two main types of nucleic acids. The cell’s genetic material is made of nucleic acids! RNA

Every nucleotide has 3 basic parts: 1. The phosphate group 2. A sugar named deoxyribose 3. One of the 4 nitrogen bases

Lipids Types of Lipids Lipids are the group of biomolecules that contains fats, cholesterols, and phospholipids. Diagrams by Eoin Fahy

The most commonly referred to lipids are fats. Fats are made of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acids.

Proteins Carbs All four classes of biomolecules are considered organic compounds. This is because they are all based on the element carbon. Lipids Nucleic Acids

Important Vocabulary: 1. All of the biomolecules can be broken apart or digested to obtain their building blocks and the energy inside of them. 2. Biomolecules can also be built or synthesized by the cells to complete certain tasks and store energy for later use.