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Summary - Unit 10 - Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
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Tanha Khair 10 A- biological molecules and 20115biochemical process
10 biological molecules and metabolic pathways
A: Understand the structure and function of biological molecules and their
importance in maintaining biochemical processes
Biological Molecules and Biochemical Processes
Introduction
I am a trainee technician that has been working in a biochemistry lab for six months. Before moving
onto the next phase of my technician training in another type of lab, my supervisor has asked me to
assist the new trainee biochemistry technician who will be carrying out the same placement that I
have just completed. I will need to demonstrate an understanding of biochemical processes and the
effects of disrupting these, as well as include models of the relevant biological molecules that will
enable me to show the structure and function of these in living organisms to the new trainee.
Structure of biological molecules
Biomolecules are substances produced by cells and living organisms, with four major types:
carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Nucleic acids store an organism's genetic code,
determining protein amino acid sequences. Proteins are structural elements, transporters, enzymes,
catalysts, antibodies, hormones, and influence gene activity. The order of amino acids within a
protein plays a crucial role in protein structure and function. Carbohydrates, abundant biomolecules,
are essential energy sources and structural components of life. They consist of monosaccharides,
disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Lipids, key biomolecules, store energy, act as
messengers, and form membranes, separating cells and creating organelles in complex organisms.
Biomolecules share a fundamental relationship between structure and function, influenced by
environmental factors. Lipids, hydrophobic molecules, form lipid bilayers in water, while DNA, a long
molecule with a flexible helical structure, fits in the cell nucleus for coding genetic traits. These
structures form the membranes of cells and organelles. The environment also influences these
biomolecules' behaviour.
WATER
Water is a polar molecule made up of 1 oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms to form water and
the atoms share their electrons through a covalent bond. This results from the formation of cohesive
forces and hydrogen bonds are cohesive between water molecules because water is a polar
molecule. Water has a strong bond force because it can form hydrogen bonds with other molecules.
Coherent is the attraction of molecules to other molecules of the same type. Therefore, water
molecules at the surface develops stronger interactions.
Water is metabolic which means it has reactions including hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
The cell's metabolic reaction occurs in the aqueous solution. Furthermore most of its properties are
from the ability of water molecules resulting to ‘stick together’.
Water's unique structure, high polarity, and heat capacity enable it to dissolve solutes, act as a
solvent for biochemical reactions, and regulate temperature in living organisms. The oxygen atom's
higher electronegativity results in polar covalent bonds, with the bonds forming two out of four
"legs" and forming slightly less than the 109° angle of a perfect tetrahedron.
Page 1
, Tanha Khair 10 A- biological molecules and 20115
biochemical process
This is the image I drew.
Importance of water:
- as a transport of molecules
- acting as a medium for chemical reactions
- regulating pH
- temperature regulator
- electrolyte balance.
-
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates means ‘hydrated carbon.’
A carbohydrate is a biomolecule, meaning it is a molecule made by a living organism, so the
carbohydrate is formed by carbon dioxide and water from plants during photosynthesis. The ratio of
carbon, and hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1. There are three types of carbohydrate structures which is
monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Page 1
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