Lecture Notes on Biomolecules

Introduction

• Favorite food discussion to introduce biomolecules.
• Biomolecules are essential for life: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids.
• Not a nutrition video, focus is on the importance to cells and organisms.

Key Vocabulary

• Monomer: Building block of larger substances.

Carbohydrates

• Food Sources: Bread, pasta, fruit, vegetables.
• Monomer: Monosaccharide (e.g., glucose).
• Functions:
  • Energy source for cells, used to make ATP.
  • Structural component in organisms (cellulose in plants, chitin in fungi and insects).
  • Energy storage as polysaccharides (starch in plants, glycogen in animals).
• Examples: Glucose, maltose, cellulose, chitin.
• OSE Suffix: Indicates sugars (e.g., glucose, maltose).

Lipids

• Food Sources: Butter, olive oil.
• Types: Triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids.
• Building Blocks: Generally glycerol and fatty acids.
• Characteristics: Hydrophobic, don't dissolve in water.
• Functions:
  • Cell membrane structure (phospholipid bilayer).
  • Long-term energy storage.
  • Insulation (electrical impulses & temperature regulation).
  • Hormones.
• Examples: Myelin sheath in neurons, blubber for thermal insulation.

Proteins

• Food Sources: Beans, meat, nuts, eggs.
• Monomer: Amino acid.
• Functions:
  • Structural components (muscle tissue, hair, collagen).
  • Cell membrane components (protein channels, receptors).
  • Enzymes for metabolic processes.
  • Immune system (antibodies).
  • Hormones (e.g., insulin).
  • Genetic coding (genes code for proteins).

Nucleic Acids

• Types: DNA, RNA.
• Monomer: Nucleotide.
• Functions:
  • Genetic information storage and coding.
  • Found in all living organisms.
• Presence in Food: Found in any food from living sources (e.g., strawberries).

Conclusion

• Overview of biomolecules: CHO-CHO-CHON-CHONP mnemonic for elements (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus).
• Importance of structure and arrangement of elements in biomolecules.
• Encouragement to stay curious.