Chemistry Of Biomolecule
#Biomolecules : A biomolecule is a chemical compound found in living organisms.
These include chemicals that are composed of mainly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and
phosphorus. They are also known as biological molecules.
Biomolecules are the building blocks of life and perform important functions in living
organisms.
Biomolecules include amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, and
nucleic acids.
Types :There are several types of biomolecules. Of most importance are the nucleosides and
nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA, the molecules that are involved in heredity. There are also
the lipids which function as the building blocks of biological membranes and as energy providing
molecules. The hormones serve in the regulation of metabolic processes and many other roles in
organisms. Carbohydrates are also important in the provision of energy and as energy storage
molecules. Amino acids and proteins function in many capacities in living organisms which include
the synthesis of proteins, in the genetic code and as biomolecules that assist in other processes such as
lipid transport. Vitamins are also necessary for the survival and health of organisms and though not
synthesized by organisms are important biomolecules.
Carbohydrate: Carbohydrates are macronutrients and are one of the three main ways
by which our body obtains its energy. They are called carbohydrates as they
comprise carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen at their chemical level. Carbohydrates are
essential nutrients which include sugars, fibers, and starches. They are found in grains,
vegetables, fruits and in milk and other dairy products. They are the basic food groups
which play an important role in a healthy life.
The food containing carbohydrates are converted into glucose or blood sugar during the
, process of digestion by the digestive system.
Classification of Carbohydrates
The carbohydrates are further classified into simple and complex which is mainly based
on their chemical structure and degree of polymerization.
Simple Carbohydrates (Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Oligosaccharides)
Simple carbohydrates have one or two sugar molecules. In simple carbohydrates,
molecules are digested and converted quickly resulting in a rise in the blood sugar
levels. They are abundantly found in milk products, beer, fruits, refined sugars, candies,
etc. These carbohydrates are called empty calories, as they do not possess fiber, vitamins
and minerals.
Plants, being producers, synthesize glucose (C6H12O6) using raw materials like carbon
dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight. This process of photosynthesis converts
solar energy to chemical energy. Consumers feed on plants and harvest energy stored in
the bonds of the compounds synthesized by plants.
of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, cellulose, etc. which exhibit extensive
branching and are homopolymers – made up of only glucose units.
Starch is composed of two components- 1. Monosaccharides: Glucose is an example of
a carbohydrate monomer or monosaccharide. Other examples of monosaccharides
include mannose, galactose, fructose, etc.
2. Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides combine to form a disaccharide. Examples of
carbohydrates having two monomers include- Sucrose, Lactose, Maltose, etc.
3. Oligosaccharides: Carbohydrates formed by the condensation of 2-9 monomers are
called oligosaccharides. By this convention, trioses, pentoses, hexoses are all
oligosaccharides.
Complex Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides)
Complex carbohydrates have two or more sugar molecules; hence they are referred to as
starchy foods. In complex carbohydrates, molecules are digested and converted slowly
compared to simple carbohydrates. They are abundantly found in lentils, beans, peanuts,
potatoes, peas, corn, whole-grain bread, cereals, etc.
1. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed by the polymerization of a
large number of monomers. Examples amylose and amylopectin. Amylose forms
the linear chain and amylopectin is a much-branched chain.
2. Glycogen is called animal starch. It has a structure similar to starch but has more
extensive branching.
3. Cellulose is a structural carbohydrate and is the main structural component of the
plant cell wall. It is a fibrous polysaccharide with high tensile strength. In
contrast to starch and glycogen, cellulose forms a linear polymer.
#Biomolecules : A biomolecule is a chemical compound found in living organisms.
These include chemicals that are composed of mainly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and
phosphorus. They are also known as biological molecules.
Biomolecules are the building blocks of life and perform important functions in living
organisms.
Biomolecules include amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, and
nucleic acids.
Types :There are several types of biomolecules. Of most importance are the nucleosides and
nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA, the molecules that are involved in heredity. There are also
the lipids which function as the building blocks of biological membranes and as energy providing
molecules. The hormones serve in the regulation of metabolic processes and many other roles in
organisms. Carbohydrates are also important in the provision of energy and as energy storage
molecules. Amino acids and proteins function in many capacities in living organisms which include
the synthesis of proteins, in the genetic code and as biomolecules that assist in other processes such as
lipid transport. Vitamins are also necessary for the survival and health of organisms and though not
synthesized by organisms are important biomolecules.
Carbohydrate: Carbohydrates are macronutrients and are one of the three main ways
by which our body obtains its energy. They are called carbohydrates as they
comprise carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen at their chemical level. Carbohydrates are
essential nutrients which include sugars, fibers, and starches. They are found in grains,
vegetables, fruits and in milk and other dairy products. They are the basic food groups
which play an important role in a healthy life.
The food containing carbohydrates are converted into glucose or blood sugar during the
, process of digestion by the digestive system.
Classification of Carbohydrates
The carbohydrates are further classified into simple and complex which is mainly based
on their chemical structure and degree of polymerization.
Simple Carbohydrates (Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Oligosaccharides)
Simple carbohydrates have one or two sugar molecules. In simple carbohydrates,
molecules are digested and converted quickly resulting in a rise in the blood sugar
levels. They are abundantly found in milk products, beer, fruits, refined sugars, candies,
etc. These carbohydrates are called empty calories, as they do not possess fiber, vitamins
and minerals.
Plants, being producers, synthesize glucose (C6H12O6) using raw materials like carbon
dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight. This process of photosynthesis converts
solar energy to chemical energy. Consumers feed on plants and harvest energy stored in
the bonds of the compounds synthesized by plants.
of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, cellulose, etc. which exhibit extensive
branching and are homopolymers – made up of only glucose units.
Starch is composed of two components- 1. Monosaccharides: Glucose is an example of
a carbohydrate monomer or monosaccharide. Other examples of monosaccharides
include mannose, galactose, fructose, etc.
2. Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides combine to form a disaccharide. Examples of
carbohydrates having two monomers include- Sucrose, Lactose, Maltose, etc.
3. Oligosaccharides: Carbohydrates formed by the condensation of 2-9 monomers are
called oligosaccharides. By this convention, trioses, pentoses, hexoses are all
oligosaccharides.
Complex Carbohydrates (Polysaccharides)
Complex carbohydrates have two or more sugar molecules; hence they are referred to as
starchy foods. In complex carbohydrates, molecules are digested and converted slowly
compared to simple carbohydrates. They are abundantly found in lentils, beans, peanuts,
potatoes, peas, corn, whole-grain bread, cereals, etc.
1. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed by the polymerization of a
large number of monomers. Examples amylose and amylopectin. Amylose forms
the linear chain and amylopectin is a much-branched chain.
2. Glycogen is called animal starch. It has a structure similar to starch but has more
extensive branching.
3. Cellulose is a structural carbohydrate and is the main structural component of the
plant cell wall. It is a fibrous polysaccharide with high tensile strength. In
contrast to starch and glycogen, cellulose forms a linear polymer.
