Biomolecules

Content

• Function
• Types of biomolecules
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Protein

The biomolecules They are the molecules that are present in all living beings. It could be said that biomolecules make up all living beings regardless of its size.

Each molecule (constituting a biomolecule) is made up of atoms. These are called bioelements. Each bioelement can be composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur Y match. Each biomolecule will be composed of some of these bioelements.

Function

The main function of biomolecules is to "be a constituent part" of all living beings. On the other hand these must form the structure of the cell. It may also be that the biomolecules must carry out some activity of relevant importance for the cell.

Types of biomolecules

Biomolecules can be classified into inorganic biomolecules such as Water, the Mineral salts and gases, while organic biomolecules are subdivided according to their combination of molecules and specific functions.

There are 4 types of organic biomolecules:

Carbohydrates. The cell needs carbohydrates since they provide a great source of energy. These are made up of 3 bioelements: Carbon, Hydrogen Y Oxygen. According to the combination of these molecules, carbohydrates can be:

• Monosaccharides. They have only one molecule of each. Within this group are fruits. Glucose is also a monosaccharide and is present in the blood of living beings.
• Disaccharides. The union of two monosaccharide carbohydrates will form a disaccharide. An example of this is sucrose that is found in sugar and lactose.
• Polysaccharides. When three or more monosaccharides are joined they will result in a carbohydrate polysaccharide biomolecule. Some of these are starch (found in potatoes) and glycogen (found in the body of living beings mainly in the muscles and in the liver organ).

See also: Examples of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides

Lipids. They form the membranes of the cell and are reserve power for the organism. Sometimes these can be vitamins or hormones. They are made up of a fatty acid and alcohol. They in turn have extensive chains of atoms of carbon and hydrogen. They can only be dissolved in substances like alcohol or ether. Therefore, it is not possible to dissolve these in water. They can be subdivided according to their specific function into 4 groups:

• Lipids with energy function. They are in the form of fat. It is the characteristic adipose tissue that many living beings have under the skin. This lipid generates an insulating and protective layer from the cold. It is also present in the leaves of plants, preventing them from drying out easily.
• Lipids with structural function. They are phospholipids (they contain phosphorous molecules) and make up the membrane of cells.
• Lipids with hormonal function. These are also called "steroids”. Example: hormones human sex.
• Lipids with vitamin function. These lipids provide substances for the proper growth of living beings. Some of these are vitamin A, D, and K.

See also: Examples of Lipids

Protein. They are biomolecules that fulfill various functions in the body. They are made up of molecules of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen Y nitrogen.

These proteins possess amino acids. There are 20 different types of amino acids. The combination of these amino acids will result in the different proteins. However (and given the multiplicity of combinations) they can be classified into 5 large groups:

• Structural proteins. They are part of the body of all living beings. An example of this group of proteins is keratin.
• Hormonal proteins. They regulate some functions of the body. An example of this group is insulin, which has the function of controlling the entry of glucose into the cell.
• Defense proteins. They work as a defense of the body. That is, they are responsible for attacking and defending the body from microorganisms, bacteria or viruses. These have the name of antibodies. For example: white blood cells.
• Transport proteins. As their name indicates, they are responsible for transporting substances or molecules through the blood. For example: hemoglobin.
• Proteins of enzymatic action. They accelerate the assimilation of nutrients by the different organs of the body. An example of this is amylase that breaks down glucose to allow its better assimilation by the body.

See also: Examples of Proteins

Nucleic acids. They are acids that must, as their main function, control the functions of the cell. But the main function is to transmit genetic material from generation to generation. These acids are made up of molecules of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen Y match. These are divided into units which are called nucleotides.

There are two types of nucleic acids:

• DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid
• RNA: ribonucleic acid

Carbohydrates

Monosaccharide carbohydrates

1. Aldosa
2. Ketose
3. Deoxyribose
4. Fructose
5. Galactose
6. Glucose

Disaccharide carbohydrates

1. Cellobiose
2. Isomalt
3. Lactose or milk sugar
4. Maltose or malt sugar
5. Sucrose or cane sugar and beets

Polysaccharide carbohydrates

1. Hyaluronic acid
2. Agarose
3. Starch
4. Amylopectin: branched starch
5. Amylose
6. Cellulose
7. Dermatan sulfate
8. Fructosan
9. Glycogen
10. Paramilon
11. Peptidoglycans
12. Proteoglycans
13. Keratin sulfate
14. Chitin
15. Xylan

Lipids

1. Avocado (unsaturated fats)
2. Peanut (unsaturated fats)
3. Pork (saturated fat)
4. Ham (saturated fat)
5. Milk (Saturated Fat)
6. Nuts (unsaturated fats)
7. Olive (unsaturated fats)
8. Fish (polyunsaturated fats)
9. Cheese (saturated fat)
10. Canola Seed (Unsaturated Fat)
11. Bacon (Saturated Fat)

Protein

Structural proteins

1. Collagen (fibrous connective tissue)
2. Glycoproteins (they are part of cell membranes)
3. Elastin (elastic connective tissue)
4. Keratin or keratin (epidermis)
5. Histones (chromosomes)

Hormonal proteins

1. Calcitonin
2. Glucagon
3. Growth hormone
4. Hormonal Insulin
5. Hormones troops

Defense proteins

1. Immunoglobulin
2. Thrombin and fibrinogen

Transport proteins

1. Cytochromes
2. Hemocyanin
3. Hemoglobin

Enzymatic action proteins

1. Gliadin, from the wheat grain
2. Lactalbumin, from milk
3. Ovalbumin Reserve, from egg white

Nucleic acids

1. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
2. Messenger RNA (ribonucleic acid)
3. Ribosomal RNA
4. Artificial nucleic RNA
5. Transfer RNA
6. ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
7. ADP (adenosine diphosphate)
8. AMP (adenosine monophosphate)
9. GTP (guanosine triphosphate)