biomolecules
Cells' building blocks
Biomolecules are the chemical compounds that make up living organisms—proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
These molecules perform the essential functions of life: storing energy, transmitting genetic information, catalyzing reactions, and building cellular structures.
Researchers study how biomolecules interact to understand disease mechanisms.
Amino acid polymers
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- polysaccharidesMulti-unit sugar polymers
polypeptides · DNA · RNA · ATP · nucleotides · monosaccharides · steroids · hormones
Cell's energy molecule
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
phosphorylation · mitochondria · respiration · catabolism · anabolism · thermodynamics · hydrolysis · coenzyme
Living production of molecules
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- polymeraseNucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- translationConverting between languages
anabolism · polymerization · condensation · dehydration · synthase · ligase · precursor · template
Erythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- collagenStructural body protein
- keratinStructural hair protein
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
chitin · starch · glycogen · chlorophyll · myosin · actin · albumin · immunoglobulin
Large chain-like molecules
- monomersSingle molecular units
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- foldingBending something over itself
- quaternaryFourth-order or four-bonded
tertiary · secondary · primary · helix · sheet · domain · motif · subunit
Accelerating reactions without consumption
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- transportMoving things between places
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
regulation · metabolism · replication · transcription · translation · enzymatic · receptor · ligand
proteins
Amino acid polymers
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
polysaccharides · polypeptides · DNA · RNA · ATP · nucleotides · monosaccharides · steroids · hormones · vitamins
ATP
Cell's energy molecule
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
oxidation · phosphorylation · mitochondria · respiration · catabolism · anabolism · thermodynamics · hydrolysis · coenzyme · oxidative
biosynthesis
Living production of molecules
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- polymeraseNucleic acid synthesis enzyme
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
translation · anabolism · polymerization · condensation · dehydration · synthase · ligase · precursor · template · elongation
hemoglobin
Erythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- collagenStructural body protein
- keratinStructural hair protein
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
cellulose · chitin · starch · glycogen · chlorophyll · myosin · actin · albumin · immunoglobulin · tubulin
polymers
Large chain-like molecules
- monomersSingle molecular units
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- foldingBending something over itself
quaternary · tertiary · secondary · primary · helix · sheet · domain · motif · subunit · backbone
catalysis
Accelerating reactions without consumption
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- transportMoving things between places
- storageSpace for keeping goods
recognition · regulation · metabolism · replication · transcription · translation · enzymatic · receptor · ligand · substrate
- Substancesmatter, elements, compounds, atoms, particles
- organic chemistrybenzene ring, carbon chain, carbon compounds, hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon
- biochemistryenzymes, proteins, protein, enzyme, amino acids
- biologicsbiologics, biologicals, biopharmaceuticals, monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibody
- biosignaturesbiosignatures, biomarkers, oxygen, methane, ozone
- paleoclimatepaleoclimate, ice age, ice ages, ice cores, ice core
biomoleculespetrochemicals
Compounds derived from petroleum
industrial chemicals · synthetic drugs · plastics · synthetic materials · synthetic dyes