Biomolecules are all the chemical compounds that together constitute living matter, that is, the chemical bases that allow the subsistence of living beings. These compounds are infinite, but among the most necessary or abundant are nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon; and secondly, sulfur and phosphorus may be mentioned. Its classification will depend on the presence of carbon in its structure: organic and inorganic.
what is biomolecule
Table of Contents
1 what is biomolecule
two functions of biomolecules
3 types of biomolecules
3.1 organic biomolecules
3.2 inorganic biomolecules
4 examples of biomolecules
5 biomolecules frequently asked questions
5.1 What are biomolecules?
5.2 For What are biomolecules used for?
5.3 What is the most abundant biomolecule in living things?
5.4 of What are biomolecules made of?
5.5 What are the biomolecules that provide us with energy?
These are the formations of atoms organized in the form of molecules that constitute all living beings in the world. The chemical elements with the greatest presence are carbon (the most important of all), nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and phosphorus, which are grouped to form the different biomolecules present in the different living organisms, representing 99 % of its content.
The main biomolecules present in the human body and in a wide variety of living beings are lipids, water, mineral salts and proteins, without which the functioning of organisms would not be possible.
The etymology of the term “bio” comes from the Greek and means “life”; while “molecule” comes from the Latin mol, which means “mass”, and the word is actually a diminutive of it, so it could be said that it means “small mass”. As a whole, it can be said that etymologically it means “small mass of life”.
Functions of biomolecules
Their importance lies in the processes they carry out, without which a living organism could not function, since they regulate the entire system of beings. These fulfill four fundamental functions, also depending on the structure of the biomolecules, which are:
They facilitate the construction of covalent bonds, since the difference in their electronegativity is minimal, which gives them stability and the greater the mass of the atoms that have joined, the greater the strength of the bond. They allow the construction of double and triple bonds between carbon-carbon, carbon-oxygen, carbon-nitrogen; and linear, cyclic, branched formations, among others. They allow carbon to form three-dimensional skeletons, which can then form compositions with different amounts of carbon. They allow to produce several functional groups with few components.
Types of biomolecules
These components receive a general classification, which will depend on the presence of carbon in their structure. Each of these types will have its own characteristics, properties and importance, since together they constitute the life of each organism. From the classification of biomolecules, the following can be mentioned:
organic biomolecules
They are those that have carbon atoms in their structure, so they are classified as organic. They can be synthesized by the human body and other living beings and, in addition to carbon, they contain hydrogen and oxygen; it can also contain the other three most abundant elements, which are sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Organic biomolecules are classified into groups that are acids, bases, and salts. These, in turn, are subdivided into macronutrients of utmost importance for proper organic function:
Carbohydrates: Also known as carbohydrate biomolecules, they are macronutrients made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. This group includes carbohydrates or sugars; Fibers and starches are also in this group. This type, which is soluble in water, is the body’s main form of energy storage and consumption, essential for the nervous system, muscles and red blood cells, so that living beings can carry out all their essential processes for life. life. .
These energetic biomolecules are classified into monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose; disaccharides, such as lactose and sucrose; oligosaccharides, such as stachyose; and polysaccharides, such as starch.
Lipids: like carbohydrates, this is one of the main biomolecules, and they are also composed of carbon and hydrogen bonds and, sometimes to a lesser extent, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and nitrogen. Thanks to these links, they constitute the secondary storage of energy for the body when carbohydrate reserves have been depleted. Likewise, they work in the mechanical protection of structures and as thermal insulation, and they are also hydrophobic, that is, insoluble in water.
The essential lipids that are present in the bloodstream are triglycerides and cholesterol, since their functions are concentrated, in addition to energy storage, in cell development. It is important to clarify that when all fats are lipids, not all lipids are fats, and excess production of these can impede blood flow in the arteries.
Proteins: they are biomolecules composed of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, whose order is subject to the DNA of each organism. These are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and most of these also contain phosphorus and sulfur.
Although there is a large presence in the cells of the entire organism, proteins represent the entire weight of all the tissues present in the body. Active participation in all biological processes experienced by living beings, so they are essential for the growth, synthesis and maintenance of vitamins, enzymes, hormones and other tissues and for the production of antibodies.
Nucleic acids: they are a type of macromolecules that contain all the genetic information of living beings, that is, all that information that serves to build the phenotype of each living being, which defines them as a unique organism. There are two types of nucleic acids, which are deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA and ribonucleic acid or RNA, present in viruses, eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
While DNA functions as a repository that contains and encodes all the genetic information that cells require to generate proteins, RNA is responsible for transporting this information to cells and synthesizing proteins. DNA is found in the nucleus of cells and RNA is found in the nucleolus of eukaryotes.
Vitamins: are those components found in the body that are vital for its functioning, fulfilling the function of catalyzing chemical reactions to release the energy necessary to optimize the body’s functions. These are present in food, in some more than in others, so a diet rich in vitamins is important, since their deficiency or total absence can trigger diseases.
There are two types of these energy biomolecules: hydrosoluble (soluble in water) which are C, B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, and must be supplemented with daily food, which can be easily eliminated from the body; Those that dissolve in fats or fat-soluble, which can be mentioned in A, E, D and K, which are deposited in fats, livers and tissues.
Amino acids: are the molecules that combine to form proteins, essential for the growth of the organism, break down food to take advantage of its nutrients, restore damaged tissues or have suffered wear and tear and are also energy reserves.
These are divided into essential, they are not created by the body, but must be consumed through the body; non-essential, which are produced by the body and not necessary to obtain them through food; and conditionals are usually not essential unless the organism is sick.
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inorganic biomolecules
In this way, it is pointed out that in its structure there is an absence of carbon molecules, they cannot synthesize carbon-carbon bonds. These cannot be synthesized by humans, but are essential for the maintenance of life. Despite fulfilling a function in the body, they cannot create polymers, such as water, carbon dioxide and ammonia.
examples of biomolecules
Biomolecules include the following:
Sale of minerals, such as iron, calcium, fluorine, zinc and iodine. Vitamins such as riboflavin, folic acid, retinol, thiamin and calciferol. Gases such as helium, nitrogen and argon. Proteins like insulin and collagen. Lipids, such as monounsaturated fats (in olive oil) and polyunsaturated fats (in soybean and corn oil). Sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, and maltose.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biomolecules
What are biomolecules?
They are those molecules that result from the union of elements necessary for life, such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, arranged in such a way that they perform various functions necessary for life.
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What are biomolecules used for?
To perform different functions such as transporting information, providing energy for the functioning of the body, serving as energy stores, creating proteins, among others.
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What is the most abundant biomolecule in living things?
The most abundant biomolecule in living things and the most common in water.
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What are biomolecules made of?
These are composed of chemical elements, especially carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. These elements represent 99% of all biomolecules.
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What are the biomolecules that provide us with energy?
The biomolecules responsible for the production, storage, transport and release of energy are carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and amino acids.
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Biochemistry
genetics
geochemistry
