Biomolecules Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Food is a source of large molecules needed for life, known as biomolecules.
• There are 4 major biomolecules:
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
• Key Vocabulary: Monomer
  • Building block of larger substances.

Carbohydrates

• Commonly known as carbs found in foods like pasta and breads.
• Functions:
  • Fast source of energy.
  • "Pasta loading" for marathon runners for energy.
• Monomer: Monosaccharide

Lipids

• Known as fats (e.g., butter, oil, cholesterol).
• Two types of building blocks:
  • Fatty acids
  • Glycerol
• Functions:
  • Insulation (e.g., blubber in seals).
  • Long-term energy storage (useful for prolonged activities like swimming the English Channel).
  • Make up cell membranes.
• Importance of moderation for health.

Proteins

• Found in foods like meats and beans.
• Monomer: Amino acids
• Functions:
  • Muscle development.
  • Immune system functioning.
  • Acting as enzymes.
  • DNA codes for proteins essential for bodily functions.

Nucleic Acids

• Include DNA and RNA.
• Monomer: Nucleotide
• Functions:
  • Genetic information coding for traits.
  • Found in all cells (e.g., in strawberries).
  • Essential for directing cell activities.

Structure and Function

• Structure affects properties and identification of biomolecules.
• Mnemonic for biomolecules:
  • CHO, CHO, CHON, CHONP
  • Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P).
• Arrangement of elements (e.g., ring or chain) impacts function.
• Explore biomolecule arrangement illustrations for better understanding.

Conclusion

• Recap of 4 biomolecules, their monomers, functions, and structure.
• Encouragement to explore more about biomolecules and stay curious.