The four major classes of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. These biomolecules are fundamental for the functioning of all biological systems.
- Description: complex carbohydrates are polymers composed of many subunits called monosaccharides (i.e., simple carbohydrates) linked by glycosidic bonds.
- How Used by Living Things: structural and energy roles. Complex carbohydrates provide a more lasting energy source in the body than simple carbohydrates.
- Description: lipids are a broad category of biomolecules that may be composed of one or more fatty acid chains and a glycerol backbone.
- How Used by Living Things: lipids provide a source of long-term energy for cells, heat insulation, structural roles in the cell membrane (phospholipids and cholesterol, etc).
- Description: proteins are polymers composed of a linear chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
- How Used by Living Things: proteins have structural (e.g., actin filaments) and enzymatic (e.g., catalase) functions.
- Description: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers consisting of long chains of nucleotides.
- How Used by Living Things: DNA contains the hereditary information which is required to synthesize any protein. RNA serves as a transition molecule that helps to regulate the type and amount of proteins in cells.
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