LS1001:
Biology
Room: LAII 104
Dr. Suman Jha
N.I.T. Rourkela
Odisha
India
Syllabus
Structure and function of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids,
and Nucleic acids; Cell theory, Structure and function of
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell, Cell division, Cell cycle;
Central dogma of Molecular Biology – DNA replication,
Transcription and Translation; Disease Biology, Applied
Biology.
What will you get from this subject?
You will be able to explain the properties and functions of different biomolecules,
and implement the information when needed to have good health
You will be able to differentiate prokaryotes from eukaryotes, and will be able to
understand why one need others to proliferate in some cases
You will be able to understand the structural and functional roles of different
organelles in the cell
You will be able to understand the basic concepts in disease, and how you can
avoid having them
Basics of Biomolecules: Structure and function of
Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Nucleic acids
The Chemical Building
Blocks of Life/cell
The Chemistry of Carbon
Organic molecules contain carbon
Carbon’s four valence electrons allow it to
form up to four covalent bonds
Hydrocarbons consist only of C and H
Propane C3H8
It can easily bond to itself and form long
chains
Linear - Cyclic - Branched
Functional Groups
Chemical properties and reactivity are a result
of functional groups
Functional groups maintain chemical
properties no matter where they occur
Polar molecules are hydrophilic
Nonpolar molecules are hydrophobic
The degree to which organic molecules
interact with water affects their function
Hydroxyl group (-OH) is one of the most
common functional groups, it will make a
molecule water soluble
Macromolecules – The Sum of
the Parts
Many complex biological activities require
large macromolecules
Macromolecules are polymers built by linking
together small subunits called monomers
Proteins are polymers of amino acids
Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides
Starches are polymers of simple sugars
Biomolecules have a wide range of sizes and structures, and perform a vast array of
functions
Based on size, they are divided into two types:
1. Macromolecules: size is more than 1000 dalton
Examples: Polysaccharides, Proteins, Nucleic Acid, Lipids
2. Micromolecules: size is less than 1000 dalton
Examples: Amino acid, Sugars, Nucleotides
Based on location of synthesis, they are either endogenous (like proteins) or exogenous
(like pharmaceutical drugs that may be natural products or semisynthetic
(biopharmaceuticals) or they may be totally synthetic
Most biomolecules are organic compounds
Just four elements—oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen—make up 96% of the human
body's mass
But many other elements, such as the various metals, are present in small amounts
The uniformity of biomolecules and metabolic pathways as invariant features between the
diversity of life forms is called "biochemical universals"
CondensationIt’s not just
for the water cycle anymore
Macromolecules are constructed by
covalently bonding monomers by
condensation reactions where water is
removed from the functional groups of the
monomers
Dehydration synthesis (water is removed)
A hydroxyl (-OH) from one monomer and a
hydrogen (-H) from another are removed
Anabolic reaction
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is the reverse of condensation
Results in the break down of polymers
Hydration reactions add water and break
bonds releasing energy
Macromolecules
Perform complex tasks with precision
Basic structure and function of each
family similar in all organisms
(bacteria – humans)
Families of Biomolecules
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
Basic Function
Perform complex tasks with precision
Basic structure and function of each family similar in all organisms (bacteria –
humans)
Carbo’s Lipids N. Acids Proteins
Energy Long term Inheritance Catalysts
Storage storage Blueprint for Hormones
Structure Insulation metabolism Structure
Protection
Starch Lipid DNA Proteins
Glycogen Fats RNA Enzymes
Glucose Oils ATP
Sucrose Waxes
Cellulose
CarbohydratesHow Sweet It Is!
General formula (CH2O)n
Simple sugars or large molecules made of sugar monomers
Monosaccharides (monomer) are covalently linked by
condensation reaction to form polysaccharides (polymers)
Sugars
Monosaccharides
Five carbon: Ribose
Six carbon: glucose and fructose
Disaccharides
Sucrose
Lactose
Polysaccharides
Starch
Cellulose
Glycogen
Carbohydrates
Disaccharides Oligosaccharides Polysaccharides
Monosaccharides (made up of 2
(made up of 2-6 (3-10 (Contain more than
monosaccharides) monosaccharides) 10 monosaccharide
carbon units) Sucrose (Glucose +
Glucose Raffinose units)
Fructose) Stachyose Dextrin
Fructose Maltose (Glucose +
Galactose Starch
Glucose) Cellulose
Lactose (Glucose + Hemicellulose
Galactose) Pectin
Cellobiose (Glucose + Gums
Glucose) Mucilages
Lactose intolerance
Polysaccharides
Three Types
Glycogen – animal storage product that
accumulates in the liver
- Highly branched
Glucose→Glycogen→glucose→bloodstream
Starch – plant energy storage
- Helical
- Easily digested by animals through
hydrolysis
Cellulose
Polysaccharide found in plant cell walls
For humans cellulose is indigestible and forms
dietary fiber
Made up entirely of β glucoses
Structure is constrained into straight microfibrils
Not an energy source for animals
Chitin – insect exoskeletons
How body maintains blood glucose levels?
Blood glucose level is Blood glucose level is
increased by reduced by
Carbohydrates in the diet : Oxidation of glucose in cells
sugars and starches to provide energy
Breakdown of stored
Blood Synthesis of glycogen
carbohydrate, glycogen Glucos (glycogenesis)
converts to glucose e
(glycogenolysis) Synthesis of fat
Conversion of fat into Synthesis of other
glucose carbohydrate compounds
(eg. Chondroitin sulfate in
Conversion of amino acids bones and cartilage, DNA,
in to glucose RNA, etc
(gluconeogenesis)
Blood glucose level >170 mg/dL: crosses renal threshold and
excreted in urine (diabetic patients) Excretion in urine if renal
Fasting blood glucose level >140 mg/dL: hyperglycemia
Fasting blood glucose level <70 mg/dL: hypoglycemia
threshold is exceeded
