Introduction to Biomolecules: Study with Video Lessons, Practice Problems & Examples

Biomolecules are essential organic molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen, crucial for life. The four primary classes include carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Understanding these biomolecules involves exploring their building blocks: monomers and polymers, such as monosaccharides, amino acids, nucleotides, and fatty acids. Each class has distinct structures and functions, influencing biological processes. For instance, carbohydrates can be simple or complex, while proteins play vital roles in cellular functions. This foundational knowledge is key to grasping more complex biological concepts.

Introduction to Biomolecules

In this video, we're going to begin our introduction to biomolecules, and biomolecules can be defined as organic molecules that are going to have carbon and hydrogen atoms linked together covalently and that are essential to living organisms. We can tell that biomolecules are essential to living organisms because they have that root 'bio,' which means life. Now, there are actually 4 primary classes of biomolecules, and those 4 primary classes are listed down below. They are carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Notice down below we have these four images of these four classes of biomolecules. What you'll notice is the image on the far left over here represents carbohydrates. This image represents proteins. The next image represents nucleic acids, and last but not least, the 4th image represents lipids. As we move forward in our course, we're going to talk more about each of these classes of biomolecules in their own separate videos. That being said, this here concludes our introduction to these biomolecules, and I'll see you all in our next video.

Map of the Lesson on Biomolecules

In this video, we're going to introduce our map of the lesson on biomolecules, which is down below right here. And so, because this is a map of our lesson, you can actually use this image like a map or a table of contents to make predictions about what we're going to cover next. And so, we're starting here at the top with biomolecules, and next, you should expect that we're going to cover monomers and polymers. And we'll talk about the different types of monomers, including monosaccharides, amino acids, nucleotides, and fatty acids. And then, we're going to explore the leftmost branches first. So, we'll talk about the carbohydrates first, distinguishing simple versus complex carbohydrates, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, and then after we finish talking about carbohydrates, we'll move on to talking about proteins and protein structure. Then we'll talk about nucleic acids, distinguishing DNA from RNA, and then last but not least, we'll talk about the lipids, talking about the different types of lipids such as fats, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes. And so, once again, this is a map of our lesson moving forward, so you should be referring to this map as we move forward in our lesson. Again, to be able to get a gauge of where we are within the lesson and what we're going to be covering next. And so, this concludes our introduction to our map of the lesson on biomolecules, and I'll see you all in our next video to talk more about these monomers and polymers.

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the four primary classes of biomolecules?

The four primary classes of biomolecules are carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Carbohydrates are essential for energy storage and structural components. Proteins perform a wide range of functions, including catalyzing metabolic reactions and providing structural support. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are crucial for storing and transmitting genetic information. Lipids, which include fats, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes, are important for energy storage, cell membrane structure, and signaling. Understanding these classes is fundamental for studying biological processes and systems.

What are monomers and polymers in the context of biomolecules?

Monomers are the basic building blocks of biomolecules, while polymers are larger structures made up of these monomers. For example, monosaccharides are monomers that form polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates). Amino acids are monomers that link together to form proteins. Nucleotides are the monomers of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Fatty acids are the monomers that make up various lipids. Understanding the relationship between monomers and polymers is crucial for grasping how complex biomolecules are formed and function in biological systems.

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are both nucleic acids but differ in structure and function. DNA contains the genetic blueprint for an organism and is double-stranded, with a deoxyribose sugar and the bases adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). RNA is usually single-stranded, contains a ribose sugar, and has uracil (U) instead of thymine. RNA plays various roles, including acting as a messenger (mRNA) between DNA and ribosomes to synthesize proteins, and as a component of ribosomes (rRNA) and transfer molecules (tRNA).

What are the different types of lipids and their functions?

Lipids are a diverse group of biomolecules that include fats, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes. Fats, or triglycerides, are important for long-term energy storage. Phospholipids are key components of cell membranes, providing structural integrity and regulating membrane fluidity. Steroids, such as cholesterol, play roles in cell membrane structure and serve as precursors for hormones. Waxes provide protective coatings in plants and animals. Each type of lipid has unique functions that are essential for maintaining cellular and physiological processes.

How do simple and complex carbohydrates differ?

Simple carbohydrates, or monosaccharides and disaccharides, consist of one or two sugar units and are quickly absorbed by the body, providing rapid energy. Examples include glucose and sucrose. Complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides, are composed of long chains of sugar units and take longer to digest, providing sustained energy. Examples include starch and glycogen. Complex carbohydrates also include dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and has various health benefits. Understanding these differences is important for nutrition and metabolic studies.