Lesson 1

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
Reference Book:
Biology by Campbell and Reece

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 Target Objectives
1. Categorize the biological molecules(lipids,
carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids)
according to their structure and function.

2. Explain the role of each biological molecule in

specific metabolic processes.

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Biological Macromolecules

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

4. Nucleic Acids

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 Biological Macromolecules
2. Lipids
• Diverse in structure and functions.
• One class of large biological molecules that do not
form polymers.
• Constructed from two types of smaller molecules:
glycerol and fatty acids

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 Biological Macromolecules
2. Lipids
Structure:
•Contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and some
with phosphorus and nitrogen.
•The ratio of oxygen atoms to hydrogen atoms in a
lipid molecule is much lower than 1:2 ratio found in
carbohydrates.

C6H1206 C57H10406
Carbohydrate Triolein
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 Biological Macromolecules
2. Lipids
• Hydrophobic molecules
• Greasy substances

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 Biological Macromolecules
LIPIDS
Functions:
1. Structural building material

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 Biological Macromolecules
LIPIDS
Functions:
2. Long term energy storage

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 Biological Macromolecules
2. Lipids
Function:
Long term energy
storage

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 Biological Macromolecules
LIPIDS
Functions:
3. Protection for the body
4. Body's insulator

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 Biological Macromolecules
LIPIDS
Functions:
5. Regulate vital chemical reactions

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:

a. Triacylglycerol (triglycerides) or Fats and Oils

b. Phospholipids

c. Steroids

d. Waxes

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
a. Triacylglycerol (triglycerides) or Fats and Oils
• most abundant in living organisms
• composed of 1 glycerol (oil) and 3 fatty acids (fats)
linked together by ester bond through the process
of esterification.
• Can be broken down into separate components
through hydrolysis by the enzyme lipase.

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Figure 5.10

Fatty acid

Glycerol
(a) Dehydration reaction in the synthesis of a fat

Ester linkage

(b) Fat molecule (triacylglycerol)

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 Oils

Function:
• Long term energy storage in plants and their seeds.
• Used for cooking.

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 Oils

Function:
• Long term energy storage in plants and their seeds.
• Used for cooking.

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 Fats

Function:
1. As respiratory substrate

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 Fats

Function:
2. Energy storage
• One gram of fat contains twice the amount of energy of one
gram of carbohydrate.

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Fats

Some research suggests that ketogenic diets might help:

1. Lower your risk of heart disease
2. Help people with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance,
and type 2 diabetes.
3. Acne, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
4. Nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
disease
5. Epilepsy

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/what-is-ketosis#1
Fats
Keto Diet Side Effects and Signs of Ketosis
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Irritability
• Constipation
• Trouble sleeping
• Nausea
• Stomachache
• Dizziness
• Sugar cravings
• Cramps
• Sore muscles
• Bad breath

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/what-is-ketosis#1
 Fats
Function:
2. Energy storage
• Excess energy is stored in form of fat as this will reduce the
space and weight involved in storage.

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 Fats
Function:
3. Heat (thermal) and electrical insulator
4. Protect internal organs

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 Connective Tissue
4. Adipose Tissue
Composition: Fat cells in minimal matrix.
Functions: Stores fat for energy and insulation.
Locations: Beneath skin, between muscles, around hearts and
joints.

Prepared by Ms. Lynrie (General Biology 1 & 2 by

McGraw-Hill)
 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
a. Types of Triacylglycerol (triglycerides)
1. Saturated Fatty Acids
2. Unsaturated Fatty Acids
2.1. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
2.2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
2.3. Trans Fatty Acids

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 SATURATED VS. UNSATURATED FATTY ACID
(b) Unsaturated fat
(a) Saturated fat

Structural
formula of a
saturated fat
molecule Structural
formula of an
unsaturated fat
molecule
Space-filling
model of stearic
acid, a saturated Space-filling model
fatty acid of oleic acid, an
unsaturated fatty
acid
Cis double bond
causes bending.
Biological Macromolecules
Types of fatty acids (a) Saturated fat
1. Saturated fatty acids
- Absence of double bonds
with carbon Structural
- Solid or semisolid at room formula of a
saturated fat
temperature molecule

Space-filling

Formula: CnH2n02
model of stearic
acid, a saturated
fatty acid
Types of fatty acids
1. Saturated Fatty Acids Examples
FATTY GEN FORMULA 1 GEN FORMULA 2 OCCURENCE
ACID (RCOOH) (CnH2n02)

BUTYRIC C3H7COOH C4H802 Butter Fat

PALMITIC C15H31COOH C16H3202 Animal and
vegetable fats
and oils
STEARIC C17H35COOH C18H3602 Animal and
vegetable fats
CEROTIC C25H51COOH C26H5202 Wool oil
 Biological Macromolecules
Types of fatty acids (a) Saturated fat
1. Saturated fatty acids
- Absence of double bonds
with carbon Structural
- Solid or semisolid at room formula of a
saturated fat
temperature molecule

Space-filling
Examples: model of stearic
acid, a saturated
animal fat (bacon), palm and fatty acid

coconut oil, butter, solid

vegetable shortening or lard

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 Biological Macromolecules
(b) Unsaturated fat
Types of fatty acids
2. Unsaturated fatty acids
- Have at least one double
bond that produces a bend
- Remains liquid at room
Structural
temperature formula of an
unsaturated fat
Formulas: molecule

CnH2n-202 One double Bond

CnH2n-402 Two double Bonds
CnH2n-602 Three double Bonds
Space-filling model
of oleic acid, an
unsaturated fatty
acid
Cis double bond
causes bending.

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
a. Types of Triacylglycerol (triglycerides)
1. Saturated Fatty Acids
2. Unsaturated Fatty Acids
2.1. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
2.2. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
2.3. Trans Fatty Acids

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Biological Macromolecules
Types of Unsaturated fatty acid
1. Monounsaturated
• Contains one carbon-carbon
double bond.
• They are liquids at room
temperature, but solidify when
chilled.
• Formula: CnH2n-202
FATTY GEN FORMULA 1 GEN FORMULA 2 OCCURENCE
ACID (RCOOH) (CnH2n02)

OLEIC C17H33COOH C18H3402 All fats

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Biological Macromolecules
Types of Unsaturated fatty acid
2. Polyunsaturated
• Contain two or more carbon-
carbon double bond.
• They are liquids at room
temperature, but solidify when
chilled.
Formula:
CnH2n-402 Two double Bond
CnH2n-602 Three double Bond

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Types of fatty acids
2. Polyusaturated Fatty Acids Examples
FATTY ACID GEN FORMULA GEN FORMULA OCCURENCE
1 2
(RCOOH) (CnH2n02)

LINOLENIC C17H29COOH C18H3002 Linseed oil

Types of fatty acids
2. Polyusaturated Fatty Acids Examples
FATTY ACID GEN FORMULA GEN FORMULA OCCURENCE
1 2
(RCOOH) (CnH2n02)

LINOLEIC C17H31COOH C18H3202 sunflower,

soybean,
corn, and
canola oils
as well as
nuts and
seeds.
Types of fatty acids
2. Polyusaturated Fatty Acids Examples
FATTY ACID GEN FORMULA GEN FORMULA OCCURENCE
1 2
(RCOOH) (CnH2n02)

ARACHIDONIC C19H31COOH C20H3202 Peanut oil

Biological Macromolecules
Types of Unsaturated fatty acid
3. Trans fats
• May be produced artificially through the process of
hydrogenation.
• The cis double bonds are converted to trans double
bonds.
• Studies show that trans fat are even more dangerous to
health than saturated fats.

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Biological Macromolecules
Types of Unsaturated fatty acid
3. Trans fats
• May be produced artificially
through the process of
hydrogenation.
• The cis double bonds are
converted to trans double
bonds.
• Studies show that trans fat are
even more dangerous to health
than saturated fats.

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Biological Macromolecules
Types of Unsaturated fatty acid
3. Trans fats
• May be produced artificially
through the process of
hydrogenation.
• The cis double bonds are
converted to trans double
bonds.
• Studies show that trans fat are
even more dangerous to health
than saturated fats.

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:

a. Triacylglycerol (triglycerides) or Fats and Oils

b. Phospholipids

c. Steroids

d. Waxes

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
b. Phospholipids
•Two fatty acids and a phosphate group are attached to
glycerol.

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
b. Phospholipids

Hydrophilic WATER
head

Hydrophobic WATER
tail

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
b. Phospholipids example
1. Lecithin

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:

a. Triacylglycerol (triglycerides) or Fats and Oils

b. Phospholipids

c. Steroids

d. Waxes

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
c. Steroids
• are lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton
consisting of four fused rings interconnected to
form a skeleton with a side chain of variable length.

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
c. Steroids
• Insoluble in water
• Soluble in ether
• Steroids do not contain fatty acids

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
c. Steroids examples:
1. Terpenes
Essential oils

2.Sterols
Cholesterol, Androgens, Estrogens , Testosterone,
Cortisol, Ergosterol, Bile acids, Calciferol,
Ecdysone

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Sterol examples

Sterol Function

1. Cholesterol Component of cell membrane

(nerve cells); Precursor of other
steroids.
2. Bile Acids Emulsification and digestion of
fats
3. Adrenocortical hormones Involve in stress response
(cortisol and aldosterone)

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Sterol examples
Sterol Function

4. Estrogen and Female reproductive hormones

progesterone
5. Testosterone Male reproductive hormones

6. Calciferol (Vitamin D2) Facilitates the absorption of

calcium and phosphate from the
small intestine.
7. Ecdysone Hormones cause ecdysis or
molting in arthropods

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 Biological Macromolecules
Anabolic steroids
•Synthetic variants of
testosterone.
•Used to treat diseases that can
cause muscle wasting, such as
cancer and AIDS.
Example: THG
•Tetrahydrogestrinone
•Chemically modified “designer”
steroid intended to avoid
detection by drug tests.

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 Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:

a. Triacylglycerol (triglycerides) or Fats and Oils

b. Phospholipids

c. Steroids

d. Waxes

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Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
d. Waxes
• Esters of saturated fatty acids and long-chain
alcohols coatings that prevent loss of water by
leaves of plants.

• Secretions from sebaceous glands waterproof hair

and feathers. It forms the leaf cuticle.
• Use as candles and polish.
Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
d. Wax Examples:
Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
d. Wax Examples:
Biological Macromolecules
Classes of Lipids:
d. Wax Examples: