The class notes for "The Molecules of Life" provide an overview of the four major biomolecules essential to living organisms: proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. The notes describe their structure, functions, and basic components, such as amino acids for proteins, monosaccharides fo...
Chemistry: Biochemistry
The Molecules of Life
Biomolecules - All living things are made up mostly of four classes of large biologica
• Proteins:
Most numerous and versatile biomolecules.
• Account for more that 50% of the dry mass of most cells.
• Functions include: structural support, storage, transport, hormones, movem
catalyzing chemical reactions (enzymes).
• Protein monomers are amino acids.
• Carbohydrates:
• Carbohydrates include sugars and polymers of sugars.
• The simplest carbohydrates are monosaccharides, or single sugars.
• Carbohydrate polymers are polysaccharides composed of many sugar build
• Main functions are in energy storage and structural support.
• Nucleic acids:
• Store and tramsmit hereditary info.
• There are 2 types of nucleic acids:
§ Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
§ Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
• Genes are made up of DNA
• RNA has multiple functions, including assisting with protein synthesis.
• Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides.
• Lipids:
• Lipids are the one class of large biomolecules that do not form polymers.
• Fats, oils, steroids, phospholipids.
• Hydrophobic - don't mix well with water.
• Functions:
§ Energy storage
§ Insulation
§ Form cell membranes
Many are composed of thousands of covalently connected atoms.
Polymer - large molecule composed of smaller repeating building blocks (monomers)
Polar vs Non-polar Molecules
Polar Non-Polar
Have a charge somewhere No charge – neutral throughout
Contain O, N, and other atoms Hydrocarbon (mostly hydrogen and carbon)
“Hydrophilic” “Hydrophobic”
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