Biomolecules

Biomolecules PDF Notes, Important Questions and Synopsis

SYNOPSIS

All the carbon compounds which we get from living tissues can be called biomolecules.

Macromolecules and their Functions

MACROMOLECULES	DESCRIPTION	FUNCTION
Polysaccharides	Mainly compounds of C, H and O. Homopolysaccharides: Made of only 1 type of monosaccharide monomer (e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin, insulin). Heteropolysaccharides: Made of more than 1 type of monosaccharide monomer.	Starch, glycogen - Storage food in plants and animals. Cellulose, chitin - Provide a framework to cells.
Lipids	Mainly fats and their derivatives. Simple lipids contain 1 molecule of glycerol and 3 molecules of long chain fatty acids. Conjugated lipids contain other substances such as a phosphate group, protein molecule or carbohydrate molecule. Derived lipids are formed or derived by the hydrolysis of simple or conjugated lipids.	Fats are oxidised to obtain energy. They also act as food reserves.
Nucleic acids	Composed of polynucleotide chains - pentose sugar, nitrogenous base, phosphoric acid. DNA - Contains deoxyribose pentose sugar RNA - Contains ribose pentose suga	DNA acts as the genetic material RNAs show enzymatic activities
Proteins	Folded linear heteropolymers of amino acids. Primary structure: Sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain of a protein. Secondary structure: Formation of hydrogen bonds between carboxyl oxygen and hydrogen atoms of other amino acids belonging either to the same polypeptide chain or to a different polypeptide chain. Tertiary structure: Long protein polypeptide chains fold and bend on themselves extensively. Quaternary structure: Each polypeptide chain is a subunit of the protein molecule.	Transport of nutrients across the cell membrane Fighting infectious agents Act as hormones and enzymes

Anabolism is the process by which large, complex molecules are made of simpler molecules.
Catabolism is the process by which large complex molecules are broken down into small, simpler compounds.
The rate of reaction refers to the amount of product formed per unit.
Rate = δp/δt
To initiate any chemical reaction, the substrate acquires a certain amount of energy which is called energy of activation.
When the substrate is bound to the enzyme’s active site, a new structure called the transition state structure is formed.
Mechanism of Enzyme Action
Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
Classification and Nomenclature of Enzymes
Some enzymes are associated with non-protein substances which make the enzyme catalytically active. Such non-protein groups are called co-factors.