Biomolecules: A Detailed Study

Introduction

• In today's class, biomolecules were discussed. The various aspects of enzymes and their importance were understood. Attention was focused on their types, functions, structures, and some important concepts.
• The session lasted for a total of 6 hours and 45 minutes, with in-depth study of various elements.

Biomolecules

• Definition: Biomolecules are carbon compounds found in living cells.
• Types: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids.
• Importance: They are essential for the fundamental structure and function of life.

Carbohydrates

• Definition: Polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones.
• Minimum carbon and oxygen requirement: 3 carbons
• Types:
  • Monosaccharides: Glucose, Ribose
  • Oligosaccharides: Maltose, Lactose, Sucrose
  • Polysaccharides: Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose, Inulin
  • Important Concepts:
    • Types of Monosaccharides
    • Conformation (e.g., structure of glucose)
    • Glycosidic Bond
    • Positive Iodine Test for Starch

Proteins

• Definition: Proteins are polymers of amino acids.
• Major Structures:
  • Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary Structure
• Functions: Enzymes, Hormones, Receptors, Defense Proteins (e.g., Antibodies), and Transport Proteins
• Important Concepts:
  • Types of Amino Acids: Acidic, Basic, Neutral, Sulfur-containing, Hydroxy-containing
  • Forms of Amino Acids: Glycine, Alanine, Serine
  • Peptide Bonds
  • Various Structures of Proteins (e.g., Alpha-Helix, Beta-Sheets)

Lipids

• Definition: Lipids are never polymers. They are oily, waxy, or greasy substances.
• Types:
  • Fatty Acids: Saturated and Unsaturated
  • Glycerol
  • Combination of Lipids: Mono-, Di-, and Triglycerides
  • Functions: Energy Storage, Structural Components (e.g., Phospholipids)
• Important Concepts:
  • Form of Glycerol
  • Form of Fatty Acids
  • Form of Cholesterol

Nucleic Acids

• Definition: Nucleic acids are found in the forms of DNA and RNA. They are made up of nucleotides.
• Types: DNA, RNA
• Structure:
  • Form of Nucleotides: Sugar, Phosphate, Nitrogenous Base
  • Important Concepts:
    • Nucleotides vs Nucleosides
    • Bonds in Nucleic Acids: Phosphodiester Bond
    • Types of Nitrogenous Bases: Purine (Adenine, Guanine) and Pyrimidine (Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil)

Enzymes

• Definition: Enzymes are called biocatalysts. They increase the rate of chemical reactions.
• Types:
  • Oxidoreductase
  • Transferase
  • Hydrolase
  • Lyase
  • Isomerase
  • Ligase
• Important Concepts:
  • Phosphoester Bond
  • Activation Energy
  • Mechanism of Enzyme Action
• Functions:
  • Control cellular metabolic reactions.
  • Factors affecting enzyme activity: Temperature, pH, Substrate Concentration, Inhibitors

Conclusion

• Biomolecules are fundamental chemicals of life, and studying them helps us understand the basic principles of biology. Enzymes are particularly important as they regulate and influence the functions of all biomolecules. We have comprehensively covered their structures, types, and characteristics.