Science: Whole Brain Learning System
Science: Whole Brain Learning System
Science: Whole Brain Learning System
SCIENCE GRADE
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 11
4
LEARNING QUARTER
MODULE WEEK 7
0
MODULE IN
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1
QUARTER 4
WEEK 7
Biomolecules
Development Team
This module helps you understand biomolecules. In your journey through the
discussions and assigned tasks, you are expected to:
Describe the structure of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates, and relate
them to their function (STEM_GC11OCIIg-j-95)
Learning Objectives:
1. define biomolecules;
2. describe the structure of the biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and
carbohydrates; and
3. relate the structure of biomolecules to their function.
Lesson 1 – Biomolecules
What I Know
Directions: Read the question/statement carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer
on a separate sheet of paper.
What’s In
Directions: Read the hints written on the right and write your answers in the box provided
in the crossword puzzle.
The large molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules are
called biological macromolecules. There are four major classes of biomolecules namely
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Each is an important component of the cell
and performs a wide array of functions. Combined, these molecules make up the majority of a
cell’s mass. Biomolecules are organic, meaning that they contain carbon. In addition, they may
contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and additional minor elements. They
are macromolecules that provide the structural framework for all living things, as well as the
mechanisms needed to perform various biological processes. They serve as the building
blocks of life and also provide structural components of cells. Chemical reactions involving
biomolecules produce energy which is needed to sustain life.
What is It?
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates derive their general name from the formula Cx(H2O)y, which appears to
be “hydrates of carbon”. They have different biochemical functions and the most abundant
biomolecules. They are important food group for most organisms, and their metabolism
provides a significant amount of energy to most organisms. Carbohydrates also have structural
functions. They are a major component of the cell walls of bacteria, and make up the exterior
shells of animals like crabs and shrimps. Carbohydrates include sugar, starch and cellulose.
There are different types of simple sugar namely monosaccharides, disaccharides and
polysaccharides.
• Monosaccharides or simple sugars are the basic building blocks of large carbohydrate
molecules. They contain two kinds of functional groups – two or more hydroxyl groups
and a carbonyl group. Because of these functional groups, they can be classified as
polyhydroxyaldehydes (aldoses) or polyhydroxyketones (ketoses). They are simple
sugars, the most common of which is glucose. In monosaccharides, the number of
carbon atoms usually ranges from three to six. Most monosaccharide names end with
the suffix -ose. Depending on the number of carbon atoms in the sugar, they may be
known as trioses (three carbon atoms), pentoses (five carbon atoms), and hexoses
(six carbon atoms). Below is the structure of the simplest monosaccharide.
glucose fructose
• Disaccharides are two monosaccharide units bonded to each other. The three most
common disaccharides are sucrose, lactose and maltose. The body breaks down
disaccharides into monosaccharide units to be used for metabolism. Sucrose is made
up of one molecule each of glucose and fructose which are linked to each other through
a single bond. Lactose often called ‘milk sugar’ is made up of glucose and galactose.
Maltose is made up of two glucose units. It is present in malt, the grain used in brewing
beer. Below are the structure of sucrose, lactose and maltose.
Proteins
Proteins are vital components of all living systems. Proteins are present in the different
parts of the body. They catalyze reactions, transport oxygen, serve as hormones in the
regulation of specific body processes, and act as antibodies and blood clotting agents. Among
the most important proteins in the body are enzymes, hormones, and other components of
chromosomes and cell membranes. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are
20 naturally occurring amino acids. They are Glycine (Gly), Alanine (Ala), Valine (Val),
Isoleucine (Ile), Leucine (Leu), Methionine (Met), Phenylalanine (Phe), Proline (Pro),
Tryptophan (Trp), Serine (Ser), Threonine (Thr), Tyrosine (Tyr), Cysteine (Cys), Asparagine
(Asn), Glutamine (Gln), Aspartic Acid (Asp), Glutamic Acid (Glu), Lysine (lys), Histidine (His)
and Arginine (Arg).
• Amino acid contains both an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). The
formula of an amino acid is presented below.
The structure of the R-group, or the side chain, of an amino acid influences the
property of the biomolecule. When the R-group is an alkyl group, the side chain is
nonpolar and water insoluble or hydrophobic. When R is benzene, it is aromatic. When
R represents an amino or carboxylic group, the amino acid is basic and acidic,
respectively.
Even if they have the aid and basic groups, in solution, the amino acid does nt
dissociate into positive ions and negative ions, or exist as uncharged particles. Amino
Nucleic Acids
Living organisms use large molecules for the storage and transmission of genetic
information. These are linear sequences that code for hereditary traits by controlling the
production of proteins. These molecules are called nucleic acids or polynucleotides. Nucleic
acids are of two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the main carrier of genetic information,
and ribonucleic acid (RNA), a copy from a portion of the DNA and which becomes the template
for synthesizing a specific protein.
The nucleotide, a monomer of a nucleic acid, is considered one of the most important
agents of metabolism of the cell. Nucleotides comprise the major nucleic acids of the cell -
RNA and DNA – which code for the proteins that will affect the metabolic activities of the cell.
As such they influence the important processes of the cell such as:
a) serving as energy stores for future use in phosphate transfer reactions (ATP
predominantly carries out these reactions);
b) forming a portion of several important coenzymes A;
c) serving as mediators of numerous important cellular processes;
d) controlling numerous enzymatic reactions; and
e) serving as activated intermediates in numerous biosynthetic reactions.
A nucleotide structure.
Image Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/YzE7EABDN2sSxV487
• Phosphate Group
The third component of a nucleotide is the phosphate group which serves to
link nucleotides together in a nucleic acid. The phosphate group is attached to carbon-
5 of the pentose ring. When a hydroxyl group of one nucleotide interacts with a
What’s More
1. Biomolecules are macromolecules that provide the structural framework for all living things,
as well as the mechanisms needed to perform various biological processes.
2. Organic molecules that play major roles in biochemical processes are carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
3. Carbohydrates are molecules made from simple sugar units, or monosaccharides. Sugars,
starch, glycogen, and cellulose are examples of carbohydrates.
4. There are three types of sugars: monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide.
5. Proteins are polymers of amino acids and are the most abundant organic molecules in cells.
6. There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids.
7. There are four levels of protein structure that interdependently affect the natural
conformation of a protein namely primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.
8. Nucleic acids, or polynucleotides, are complex molecules for the storage and transmission
of genetic information: their building blocks are nucleotides.
9. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the major carrier of the hereditary traits, while RNA
(ribonucleic acid) is the messenger of genetic information used for protein synthesis.
10. Lipids is a general term for compounds which are not soluble in water. Lipids are soluble
in hydrophobic solvents.
What I Can Do
5 Answer is detailed and correct. Student’s ideas are in line with the competency.
4 Answer is correct. Student’s ideas are in line with the competency.
3 Answer in some parts contain major errors. Student’s ideas are in line with the
competency.
2 Most of the answers are incorrect and not in line with the competency.
1 No answer is given, or the answer is not correct and not in line with the
competency.
Assessment
Directions: Read the question/statement carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer
on a separate sheet of paper.
Davis, Raymond E., et.al, Modern Chemistry. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
2002.
Bayquen, Aristea V., et.al, Exploring Life Through Science Series Senior High School General
Chemistry 2. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. 2016.
Barrameda, Ma. Corazon, et.al, Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Chemistry 2.
Quezon City: EC-TEC Commercial. 2016.
Padolina, Ma. Cristina D., et.al, Conceptual and Functional Chemistry-Modular Approach.
Quezon City: Vibal Publishing House, Inc. 2010.
Ilao, Luciana V., et.al, General Chemistry 2. Manila: Rex Book Store. 2017
Petrucci, Harwood, Herring, and Madura. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern
Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2007.
Online References
https://images.app.goo.gl/6xxFX7UyCB9tbiJc8
https://images.app.goo.gl/qndUJ9yJZSkfQFui8
https://images.app.goo.gl/FZDpz3ciHpRNVXpu6
https://images.app.goo.gl/YzE7EABDN2sSxV487
https://images.app.goo.gl/f3udrfhU5R8FHqpA9
https://opentextbc.ca/biology/chapter/2-3-biological-molecules/