Biomolecules: Types, Functions & Examples

Biomolecules are made up of chemical molecules which are fused together to form complex compounds. These are the compounds that are involved in the formation and metabolism of living organisms.

• Biomolecules are used for the sustenance of life. 
• Basically, every little thing in this universe is made up of tiny atoms.
• Atoms are fused together via electrons to form compounds, which go on to form molecules.
• It is also known as a biological molecule.
• These molecules are produced within the organisms.
• Nuclei acid is responsible for storing the genetic code of living organisms.
• Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are structural elements of biomolecules.​
• Carbon forms a covalent bond to form several other compounds.
• Some biomolecules are derivatives of hydrocarbons.

Key Terms: Biomolecules, Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, Vitamins, Nucleic Acids, Proteins, Glucose, Fructose, Minerals, Water, Molecules, Nutrients, Monosaccharide, Oligosaccharides

---

What are Biomolecules?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Biomolecules are an important element of living organisms and essential to many typical biological processes such as cell division and development. The main four kinds of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

• Biomolecules perform an array of functions, including storing genetic information and serving as transporters.
• These molecules serve as sources of stored energy and act as chemical messengers.
• All biomolecules share a common structure and function.
• They are the actual foot soldiers of the battle.
• Biomolecules are referred to as biochemical universals.

Biomolecules

Read More:

---

Types of Biomolecules

[Click Here for Previous years Questions]

Biomolecules include Carbohydrates, Proteins, Enzymes, Vitamins, Nucleic Acids, and Hormones. They are divided into two classes, which are as follows:

Inorganic Molecule

Molecules not bigger than 10-800 daltons in molecular weight are Inorganic Biomolecules. They are also known as micromolecules. For Example, Minerals, Water etc.

Organic Molecule

Molecules bigger than 800 Daltons in molecular weight are termed Organic Biomolecules. They are also known as Macromolecules. For example, Complex carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic acids, etc.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones compounds that produce biomolecule units on hydrolysis and are optically active. A few carbohydrates are also sweet in taste and are called sugars. These carbohydrates are classified based on their behaviour during hydrolysis.

• Monosaccharides

​Carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolyzed further into simpler, singular units are called monosaccharides. Examples are Glucose, Fructose, Ribose, etc.

• Oligosaccharides

​Carbohydrates that produce two to ten monosaccharide units on hydrolysis are called oligosaccharides. For Example, if one molecule of sucrose is hydrolyzed, it will give one molecule of glucose and one molecule of fructose.

• Polysaccharides

​Carbohydrates that produce more than ten monosaccharide units on hydrolysis are called polysaccharides. These are also known as non-sugars, as they do not taste sweet. Examples are Cellulose, starch, etc.

Different types of saccharides group are as follows:

Types of Carbohydrates

Amino Acids

Amino Acids are molecules that have one α-carbon at the centre and one amino (-NH₂), one Carboxyl (-COOH) and one Side chain (-R group). All these are functional groups.

• It also consist of one hydrogen group on the four sides.

The amino acids are broadly divided into two classes based on their productivity in the human body:

• Essential Amino Acid

​The amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the organism and are very important for the overall growth and development of the organism are called Essential amino acids. Examples are valine, Leucine, etc.

• Non-essential Amino Acids

​The amino acids which can be synthesized by the human body are known as non-essential amino acids. Examples are Glycine, Alanine, etc.

Proteins 

Proteins, in all organisms, are made up of polypeptide chains or polymers of amino acids. These peptide chains are formed with the help of the peptide bonds.

• These bonds are formed after a condensation reaction.
• The reaction take place between -COOH group of one amino acid and the -NH2 group from one amino acid.
• A polypeptide chain has more than a hundred amino acid residues.
• It has a molecular mass of more than 10,000u.
• Proteins are largely divided into two types, namely, Fibrous and Globular proteins.
• The protein structure is broadly classified into Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.

Nucleic Acids

The nucleosides are the chemical structures made up of a nitrogenous base and a ribose sugar unit. The chemical structures are made up of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar unit, and a phosphate sugar unit.

• Nucleic acids are long polymer chains of nucleotides.
• These nucleotides are joined together by the phosphodiester linkage between 5’ and 3’ C-atoms of a pentose sugar.
• DNA double helix is derived from these nucleotides bonded together.
• It is composed of two right-handed helical polynucleotide chains coiled spirally in an antiparallel direction.
• Two strands of the DNA are held together by H-bonds.
• Adenine forms a double bond with thymine.
• Guanine forms a triple H-bond with cytosine.
• The diameter of the double helix is 2nm, and one complete turn is 3.4 nm in length.

Total amount of A+G = Total amount of C+T

• where A = Adenine
• G = Guanine
• T = Thymine
• C= Cytosine

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds required in the diet in very less amounts in order to take part in some important metabolic reactions. The deficiency of these vitamins could lead to long-term diseases in organisms, as listed below;

---

Functions of Biomolecules

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Biomolecules perform a variety of functions which are listed below:

• Lipids form membranes and act as chemical messengers. 
• Carbohydrates are essential energy resources forming structural components of living beings.
• Proteins form antibodies and hormones and influence gene activities.
• Nucleic acids, DNA, and RNA store genetic information. 

---

---

Things to Remember

• Biomolecules are chemical molecules that are fused together to form complex compounds.
• They include carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, nucleic acids, and hormones.
• Nucleic acids are long polymer chains of nucleotides.
• A few carbohydrates are also sweet in taste and are called sugars. 
• Vitamin deficiencies could lead to long-term diseases in organisms such as scurvy, beriberi, rickets, etc.

Read More:

---