The Function of Biomolecules

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

Carbohydrates provide ENERGY! Sugars are produced by plants during photosynthesis, and they are the primary source of energy for most organisms. Carbohydrates provide ENERGY!

Carbohydrates are also used in the cell walls of plants and other organisms. When sugars are placed together into complex carbohydrates like cellulose they become very strong and rigid. cell wall Cellulose

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

Fats are a primary example of lipids. Fats are made of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acids.

Lipids can also be used to store large amounts of energy. Gram for gram, lipids contain MORE ENERGY than carbohydrates. This is why your body stores its extra energy in the form of fat.

Lipids Lipids are also the primary component of all of the cell’s membranes. Membranes are made out of phospholipid molecules. Phospholipid

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

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

Nucleic Acids The primary function of nucleic acids is to store information. The NA in DNA and RNA stands for Nucleic Acid! RNA

1 glucose is placed in to 36 ATP molecules. Nucleotides are also used to distribute energy more efficiently. The energy from 1 glucose is placed in to 36 ATP molecules. 36 ATP 1 Glucose The ATP molecules can deliver smaller amounts of energy so that energy is not wasted!

ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate, ATP is a nucleotide. Instead of 1 phosphate group, there are 3 phosphate groups. The bonds between these extra phosphate groups is where the energy is stored. ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate, but you can remember that it gives cells All The Power!

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

Proteins Proteins are the most diverse groups of biomolecule, and they perform the largest variety of functions in the cells.

Proteins can be used to transport molecules through membranes, attack invading germs, carry oxygen through the blood and send signals through the body! Image by Gareth White Hemoglobin Insulin (Hormone) Enzymes Immunoglobin (Antibodies)

Enzyme digesting a molecule Possibly the most important type of proteins are called enzymes. Enzymes are found in every cell, and they speed up chemical reactions inside the cell. Enzymes Enzyme digesting a molecule

Enzymes 1. Enzymes can break apart or digest large molecules into smaller pieces. 2. Enzymes can also synthesize large molecules by putting small pieces together.

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