Biomolecules & Enzymes
Biomolecule: a chemical compound found in living organisms; they are the building blocks of
life & perform important functions
1. Carbohydrates
a. Polymers: polysaccharides
i. Examples: starch, glycogen, and cellulose
b. Function: energy carriers
c. Monomers: monosaccharides
i. Elements: C, H, O
2. Proteins
a. Polymers: polypeptide
i. Examples: insulin, collagen, hemoglobin
b. Function: the workhorse(enzymes, hormones, carriers, etc.) of cells
c. Monomers: amino acids
i. Elements: C, H, O, N, S
3. Lipids
a. Polymers: fats, oils, steroids, waxes
i. Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids
b. Function: energy storage & protection, hormones, cholesterol, &
phospholipids(membrane structure)
c. Monomers: Fatty Acids
i. Elements: C, H, O, P
4. Nucleic Acid
a. Polymers: DNA, RNA, ATP
i. Examples: nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA
ii. Function: genetic info. & ATP(cellular energy)
Biomolecule: a chemical compound found in living organisms; they are the building blocks of
life & perform important functions
1. Carbohydrates
a. Polymers: polysaccharides
i. Examples: starch, glycogen, and cellulose
b. Function: energy carriers
c. Monomers: monosaccharides
i. Elements: C, H, O
2. Proteins
a. Polymers: polypeptide
i. Examples: insulin, collagen, hemoglobin
b. Function: the workhorse(enzymes, hormones, carriers, etc.) of cells
c. Monomers: amino acids
i. Elements: C, H, O, N, S
3. Lipids
a. Polymers: fats, oils, steroids, waxes
i. Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids
b. Function: energy storage & protection, hormones, cholesterol, &
phospholipids(membrane structure)
c. Monomers: Fatty Acids
i. Elements: C, H, O, P
4. Nucleic Acid
a. Polymers: DNA, RNA, ATP
i. Examples: nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA
ii. Function: genetic info. & ATP(cellular energy)
