- Biomolecules are complex organic molecules which built up living organism and form the basis of life.
- Biochemistry is the branch of chemistry which deals with the study of chemical composition and structure of living organism and chemical changes take place in them.
- Biochemical reactions like chemical reactions follow the laws of chemistry and physics.
- The energy obtained during oxidation of food is coupled to the reaction leading to formation of ATP.
- Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or the compounds which can produce them on hydrolysis. Glucose is a naturally occurring sugar which plays a key role in release of energy.
- Proteins are complex nitrogenous organic molecules which are essential for growth and maintenance of life.
- Enzymes are biological catalysts produced by living cells which catalyze the biochemical reactions in living organisms. All enzymes are globular protein.
- All proteins on partial hydrolysis give peptides of varying molecular masses and on complete hydrolysis yield amino acids.
- The sequence of amino acids in polypeptide chains present in proteins constitutes its primary structure.
- The study of shape in which the polypeptide chains exist refers to its secondary structure.
- The complete 3-D form of the polypeptide chains along with other non-ordered segments is the tertiary / quaternary structure of proteins.
- Nucleic acids RNA and DNA are polymers of nucleotides.
- DNA is a double helical structure while RNA is single stranded.
- DNA stores the genetic information in the form of the sequence of bases.
- The process in which duplication of DNA takes place during cell division is known as replication during which the genetic message is passed on to the daughter nuclei.
- One strand of DNA acts as a template on which a complementary strand of RNA is synthesized. This process is called transcription.
- The newly formed RNA dictates the synthesis of protein at the ribosome. This process is known as translation.
- The sequence of three nucleotides on a polynucleotide chain is known as codon. There are 64 codons, one specific for one amino acid.
- Lipids are only, fatty or waxy substances present in the living organisms which constitute those structural components of plants and tissues which are soluble in organic solvents and are sparingly soluble in water. They are energy reservoirs of the cell.
- Phospholipids and lipoproteins are important constituents of cell membrane.
- Hormones are biomolecules produced from endocrine (ductless) glands of the body. These transfer information from one group of cells to a distant organ or tissue and thus control the metabolism.
- Vitamins are essential components of diet. Their deficiency causes specific diseases.
Natural Amino Acids
Some important vitamins along with their sources and deficiency disease
| Name of vitamin | Source | Deficiency disease |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (bright eye vitamin) | Fish oil particularly shark liver oil, liver of fresh water fish rice polishing, liver, kidney | Xerophthalmia i.e, hardening of cornea of eye |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | Yeast, milk, green vegetables etc | Beri-beri (a disease of nervous system) |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | Yeast, vegetables, milk, egg white liver and kidney | Dark red tongue (glossitis), dermatitis and cheilosis (fissuring at corners of mouth and lips) |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | Cereal, grams, molasses, yeast, egg yolk and meat | Severe dermatitis, convulsions |
| Vitamin H (Biotin) | Yeast, liver, kidney and milk | Dermatitis, loss of hair and paralysis |
| Vitamin B12 | Liver of ox, sheep, pig, fish etc | Pernicious anaemia |
| Vitamin C | Citrus fruit, green vegetables | Scurvy |
| Vitamin E | Wheat germ oil, cotton seed oil and soybean oil | Sterility |
| Vitamin K | Cereals, leaf vegetable | Hemorrhagic conditions |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Chloroplasts of green plants and mitochondria of animals | Low order of immunity of body against many disease |
