BIOMOLECULES

WK
Laboratory Module 1

Organisms are made up of only a few number of atom combinations joined together
1
by chemical interactions in order to form biomolecules. These atoms or elements
constitute the mnemonic device CHONaPKNSCaClMg. Out of the more than 120
atoms that have been discovered, these atoms constitute the bulk of the organismal
chemical makeup. Most biomolecules of clinical importance consist of carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Aside from the 11 atoms
already mentioned, there are still other atoms present in the human body essential
for its normal functioning. These are the metals and a very few number of nonmetals
that compose what we call the micronutrients. Micronutrient, as the name
suggests, needs to exist only in trace amounts to contribute to normal function.

Your Group Activity 1.1 requires you to come up with two (2) tables. The first
table you have to completely fill out with forms (such as ionized, complexed,
chair, boat, etc.) and uses in the body of each of the top 11 elements found in
nature, and the second table is for the remaining micronutrients wherein you are
to supply their complete names opposite the given descriptions in the table.
Write only the names of elements that meet each of the descriptions based
from your searches. Do not forget to write your references using the APA
format at the back pages.

Let us move on to your Group Activity 1.2 that is all about the four (4) important
biomolecules namely: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Supply the table with the required information that includes the absorbable building
blocks, chemical bonds produced and examples. Remember that your examples
should be specific. For example, disaccharide is a carbohydrate but it would be wrong
if you give it as your answer. It is NOT SPECIFIC. A much better answer is sucrose - a
specific disaccharide. Triglyceride is NOT a specific answer for a lipid but triolein is.
Protein enzyme is NOT specific but lactic dehydrogenase is a specific protein. Each
biomolecule in the body has characteristic chemical structure and therefore, have a
unique function. The function of a biomolecule is brought about by the presence of
functional groups.

The last Group Activity 1.3 is all about the functional groups found in bodily
substances. You are only to fill in the last column with specific examples of
biomolecules. You have to provide at least two (2) specific examples for each of
the eleven (11) classes of compounds.
PREPAREDBY:DR.J.P.MARIO
Design by: RestShiloh
BIOMOLECULES
Activity 1
The human body is composed of a diverse set of substances ranging from atoms
which appear charged or in the ionized state to a group of atoms that may be neutral
or charged. Strikingly, the substances that are utilized in metabolic processes termed
as biomolecules can assemble into macromolecules and disassemble back to their
building blocks called monomers aside from being interconverted to one another.
Biomolecules include the carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and these
provide the structural hierarchy within the cell as these molecules work in ways from
their macromolecular state to their monomers and vice versa.

Table 1.1. Content of elements in the biosphere, arranged according to the number of
atoms of a given element per a total of 100,000 atoms, with a precision of +/- 10%.

Hydrogen (H) 63,000

Oxygen (O) 25,000
Carbon (C) 9,400
Nitrogen (N) 1,400 Σ = ≈ 99%

Calcium (Ca) 230

Phosphorus (P) 130
Sulfur (S) Sodium 120
(Na) Potassium 75
(K) Chlorine (Cl) 37
Magnesium (Mg) 33
11
Σ = ≈ 0.6%
Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, B, Si, Se
Occur in minute amounts in nearly all kinds of organisms;

V, Cr, F, I, As, Br, Sn, Pb

Occur in only some groups of organisms;

Al, Ba, Li, Sr

Occur in only some species examined so far.
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.1
As a group, think of the many possible forms and uses of the elements starting from
hydrogen up until magnesium in the human body. Write your answers on the spaces
provided. Do this in 30 minutes. After the allotted time, class sharing and discussion
shall follow.

FORM OF THE
ELEMENTS ELEMENTS IN USES
THE BODY

HYDROGEN

OXYGEN

CARBON

NITROGEN

CALCIUM
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.1 cont.

FORM OF THE
ELEMENTS ELEMENTS IN THE USES
BODY

PHOSPHORUS

SULFUR

SODIUM

POTASSIUM

CHLORINE

MAGNESIUM
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.1 cont.

Write the complete names of the remaining elements that fit the
descriptions below.

DESCRIPTIONS ELEMENTS DESCRIBED

Metalloenzyme
cofactor

Xenobiotics

May cause
heavy metal
poisoning

Diagnostic
radioisotopes

Microminerals
with RDA
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.1 cont.

Write the complete names of the remaining elements that fit the
descriptions below.

DESCRIPTIONS ELEMENTS DESCRIBED

Therapeutic
Purposes

Minerals with no
known
physiological
role in the body

Known to be
structural
components of
chemicals needed
for proper
functioning
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.2
Elements form bonds with other elements to form compounds, molecules, and
charged polyatomic ions. Organic macromolecules in various organisms across
kingdoms or genera seem to have similarities regarding the vital polymers and their
respective monomers. These principal biomolecules regarded as macrocomplexes
participate in a series of chemical reactions with the production of important
metabolites. These include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Now,
you have to complete the table by filling in the cells with the absorbable monomers
and five specific examples for each of the four biomolecules. Do this in 20 minutes
and this is followed by class sharing and discussion

POLYMERIC
ABSORBABLE CHEMICAL BONDS FIVE SPECIFIC
BIOMOLECULES
MONOMERS FORMED EXAMPLES

CARBOHYDRATES Glucose
Glycosidic bond Fructose, Lactose ,
Maltose, Lactulose and
Fructose
Sucrose

Peptide Bonds Actin, Collagen,

PROTEIN Amino Acid Myosin, Albumins and
Cadherins

Fatty Acids Covalent Bonds;also Cholesterol, Estrogen,

LIPID Glycerol called Ester bonds Vitamin-D, Vitamin-E
and
Phosphatidylcholine

NUCLEIC RNA Phosphodiester and Guanine, Cytosin,

DNA hydrogen bonds Thymine, Uracil and
ACID Adenine
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.3
You have learned about the biomolecular polymers and their fundamental building blocks as
well as their particular examples. We proceed to the functional groups that provide each of
these biomolecules their unique physical and chemical properties. The functional groups are
the avenues with which these biomolecules interact with other substances also found in the
body. These functional groups also provide scientists a means of identifying them in tissue
samples and quantitating them in body fluids for diagnostic purposes. Let us review the
different functional groups found in living systems and at the end of the laboratory class, you
will already be able to apply the concept and deduce whether a particular molecule is likely a
carbohydrate, protein, lipid, or a nucleic acid. You have to write in the blank cells the types of
biomolecule that correctly corresponds to the given functional groups. Do this in 30 minutes
to be followed by class sharing and discussion.

FUNCTIONAL
GROUPS CLASS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF
COMPOUNDS TYPE FORMULA BIOMOLECULES

AMINO GROUP
AMINES R-NH2

CARBONYL
ALDEHYDES & R-CHO &
GROUP
KETONES RCOR
CARBOXYL
GROUP ORGANIC ACIDS R-COOH

DOUBLE BOND
ALKENES R=R

ESTER GROUP
ESTERS RCOOR
BIOMOLECULES
Learning Activity 1.3
You have learned about the biomolecular polymers and their fundamental building blocks as
well as their particular examples. We proceed to the functional groups that provide each of
these biomolecules their unique physical and chemical properties. The functional groups are
the avenues with which these biomolecules interact with other substances also found in the
body. These functional groups also provide scientists a means of identifying them in tissue
samples and quantitating them in body fluids for diagnostic purposes. Let us review the
different functional groups found in living systems and at the end of the laboratory class, you
will already be able to apply the concept and deduce whether a particular molecule is likely a
carbohydrate, protein, lipid, or a nucleic acid. You have to write in the blank cells the types of
biomolecule that correctly corresponds to the given functional groups. Do this in 30 minutes
to be followed by class sharing and discussion.

FUNCTIONAL
GROUPS CLASS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF
COMPOUNDS TYPE FORMULA BIOMOLECULES

ETHER GROUP
ETHERS ROR

HYDROXYL
ALCOHOLS ROH
GROUP
SULFHYDRYL
GROUP THIOLS RSH

PHOSPHORIC
ANHYDRIDE PHOSPHATE
R-OP=OOOP=OO2
GROUP ANHYDRIDES
PHOSPHORIC
ESTER GROUP PHOSPHATE ESTERS R-OP=OO2
BIOMOLECULES
Other Guide Questions (see assignment tab for
submission of Answers)

1. BIOCHEMISTRY IS THE STUDY OF LIVING SYSTEMS AT THE

LEVEL OF CHEMICAL TRANSFORMATIONS AND IT WOULD BE
WISE TO ASK, WHAT IS LIFE ALL ABOUT? HERE, YOU LOOK
FOR SIX (6) CHARACTERISTICS THAT LIVING ORGANISMS
POSSESS THAT ARE NOT EXHIBITED BY NONLIVING OBJECTS.
FURTHER THINK OF ORGAN SYSTEMS AND BIOCHEMICAL
PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THE
CHARACTERISTICS.

2. IN BIOCHEMISTRY, THE HYDROGEN ATOMS ARE HIGHLY

ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING MACROMOLECULES AND WITH
REDUCTION. IN CONTRAST, THE OXYGEN ATOMS ARE
ASSOCIATED WITH BREAKDOWN OF MACROMOLECULES AND
ABSOLUTELY WITH OXIDATIVE PROCESSES. EXPLAIN WHY AND
TELL WHERE IN THE CELL ALL THESE HAPPEN.

3. DIFFERENTIATE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, CELLULAR

ORGANIZATION, AND COMPLEXITY BETWEEN A
PROKARYOTE AND A EUKARYOTE.