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Biomolecules

Biomolecules

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 11, 2022 03:41 PM IST

Introduction
All the carbon compounds obtained from the living tissues can be known as biomolecules. They work together to promote a variety of biological activities that are required for life to exist. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen make up the majority of biomolecules.

Biomolecules biology

Biomolecules are found in nature and are not man-made or manufactured, as the name implies. These are organically generated molecules that are found in the human body. Proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acid are the most common macromolecules. Biomolecules come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as diverse architectures. Biomolecules can be found inside the bodies of every living species on the planet. Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and nucleic acid are the four most significant forms of macromolecules. You will gain a thorough understanding of these biomolecules and how they aid digestion in ncert chapter 9 Biomolecules of class 11 biology notes.

What are Biomolecules and How Do They Work?

Biomolecules are the most important organic molecules that are involved in living organisms' maintenance and metabolic functions. These non-living molecules are the true foot soldiers in the war for life's survival. They range in size from small molecules like primary and secondary metabolites and hormones to massive macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and other macromolecules.

Types of Biomolecules

Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids are the four major classes of biomolecules. Each one is addressed further down.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates, the most abundant biomolecules on earth, are widely used by organisms for structural and energy-storage purposes. Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones, or substances that create them when they are hydrolyzed. In layman's words, we refer to carbs as sugars or sweet-tasting compounds. Saccharides (Greek: saccharin = sugar) are the collective name for them. Monosaccharides (1 unit), oligosaccharides (2-10 units), and polysaccharides (more than 10 units) are classified according to the number of constituent sugar units recovered after hydrolysis . They serve a variety of purposes: they are the most abundant dietary source of energy; they are structurally vital for many living species as a primary structural component, for example, cellulose is an important structural fiber for plants.

Proteins

Proteins are the biomolecules that makeup around half of the dry weight of a cell, and are another class of essential macromolecules. Proteins are polypeptide chains made up of amino acids organized in a specific order. In some circumstances, the structure of proteins is classed as primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary. These structures are based on the degree of intricacy of a polypeptide chain's folding. Proteins have structural and dynamic functions. Myosin is a protein that allows muscles to contract and move. Proteinaceous enzymes make up the majority of enzymes.

NCERT Books Link:

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the genetic materials found in cells that carry all of the information passed down from parents to offspring. Nucleic acids are divided into two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The transfer of genetic information and the creation of proteins are the primary functions of nucleic acid, which are accomplished through the processes of translation and transcription. A nucleotide is a monomeric unit of nucleic acids that consists of a nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, and phosphate. A 3' and 5' phosphodiester bond connects the nucleotides. The nucleotide is distinguished by the nitrogen base linked to the pentose sugar. Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four primary nitrogenous bases found in DNA. Thymine is replaced by uracil in RNA. The double-helix or double-helical structure of DNA is created by hydrogen bonding between the bases of two antiparallel polynucleotide bases.

Only 3 types of macromolecules, that are polysaccharides or carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acid are present in the living systems. As lipids are associated with membranes, they separate in the macromolecular fraction.

NCERT Notes Subject Wise Link:

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 9 - Biomolecules

Class 11 Biology NCERT Solutions 9th Chapter The concept of biomolecules is crucial to comprehending the chemical makeup of materials contained in living organisms. In the most recent CBSE Syllabus 2021-22, this chapter is classified as a term – I. Students interested in pursuing a profession in medicine should understand the foundations. For the convenience of students, NCERT Solutions for Class 11 include solved solutions for all of the problems in the textbook, answered in the same order.

The mere mention of the first examinations sends students into a panic. Students, on the other hand, can expect to score exceptionally well if they have a good comprehension of ideas, review, and practice. Class 11 is a key year since a large number of questions arise in competitive tests, making it necessary to analyze and understand concepts. NCERT Solutions comes to the rescue, meeting all of the kids' academic requirements.

NCERT Solutions Subject wise link:

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Subject wise link:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are carbohydrates?

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms make up carbohydrate biomolecules. They provide energy to all living things. Carbohydrates can be found in almost every aspect of our lives. For example, cellulose can be found in the paper we use every day, as well as wood and other natural materials. Saccharides, a group comprising sugar, starch, and cellulose, is a synonym for carbohydrates in terms of biomolecules.

2. What are Amino acids?

Amino acids are biomolecules that include both carboxylic acid and amine functional groups. They are carboxylic acid derivatives in which an amino group replaces one hydrogen atom of a carbon atom. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are the primary components of amino acid, while more elements may be added. The structural-functional groups of amino acids are classed as alpha, beta, gamma, or delta, depending on where they are located. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building components. Proteins are the second most abundant component of human muscles, cells, and tissues.

3. Explain the term nucleic acid.

Nucleic acids are crucial biomolecules found in all living organisms. Because nucleotides have a repeating structure, they are also known as polynucleotides. A phosphate group, sugar, and nitrogenous bases make up nucleic acid. 


Nucleic acid types include:


RNA: The structure of RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a single-stranded helix.


DNA: The double-stranded helix structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).


Artificial nucleic acid analogs: Chemists have created artificial nucleic acid counterparts by designing and synthesizing them. Peptide nucleic acid, morpholino, and locked nucleic acid, glycol nucleic acid, and threose nucleic acid are some of them.

4. What is ATP? State its function.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is an energy-carrying molecule found in all living creatures' cells. ATP is a molecule that absorbs chemical energy from the breakdown of food molecules and then releases it to power other cellular operations.

5. Define Metabolism.

Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions that occur within the cells of the body to convert food into energy. This energy is required for everything our bodies do, from moving to thinking to developing. The chemical reactions of metabolism are controlled by certain proteins in the body.

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