SCIENCE 10

SELF-STUDY ACTIVITY

Name: __________________________________________________ Section: ______________________

This module presents activities that lead to your understanding of the structure of biomolecules which are made
up mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen as well as proteins and nucleic acids and some derivatives of
carbohydrates and lipids. This module is specifically crafted to focus on the different activities that will assess your
level in terms of skills and knowledge with the expectation to demonstrate through the learning material.
Read and answer the suggested tasks and accomplish them to understand how biomolecules are essential to life.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Recognize the major categories of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
(S10MTIVc-d-22);
There are four major classes of Biomolecules – Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic acids and Lipids.
The table below shows the elements that are present in the major classes of biomolecules.

CARBOHYDRATES
These molecules are comprised of the elements carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). Commonly, these
molecules are known as sugars. Carbohydrates can range in size from very small to very large. Like all the other
biomolecules, carbohydrates are often built into long chains by stringing together smaller units. This works like adding
beads to a bracelet to make it longer. The general term for a single unit or bead is a monomer. The term for a long string
of monomers is a polymer. Examples of carbohydrates include the sugars found in milk (lactose) and table sugar
(sucrose).
Carbohydrates are chemically defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or compounds which produce them
on hydrolysis. In layman’s terms, we acknowledge carbohydrates as sugars or substances that taste sweet. They are
collectively called as saccharides (Greek: sakcharon = sugar). Depending on the number of sugar units, carbohydrates
can be as monosaccharides (1 sugar unit), oligosaccharides (2-10 sugar units) and or polysaccharides (more than 10
sugar units).
Carbohydrates have several functions in cells. They are an excellent source of energy for the many different
activities going on in our cells. Some carbohydrates may have a structural function. For example, the material that makes
plants stand tall and gives wood its tough properties, is a polymer form of glucose known as cellulose. Other types of
sugar polymers make up the stored forms of energy known as starch and glycogen. Starch is found in plant products such
as potatoes, and glycogen is found in animals.
PROTEINS
Proteins are another class of indispensable biomolecules, which make up around 50 percent of the cellular dry
weight. Proteins are comprised of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and sometimes sulfur. Proteins
are polymers of amino acids, arranged in the form of chain called polypeptide. Depending on how the structure of a
protein is arranged, it gives rise to a certain level of structural organization. The level can be classified as primary,
secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
Proteins play both structural and dynamic roles. They help form many of the structural features of the body
including hair, nails and muscles. Myosin is the protein that allows movement by contraction of muscles Proteins are also
present as a major component of cell membranes. Being part of cell membranes, proteins act as carriers or channels,
facilitating the movement of ions and molecules in and out of the cells. Ions like sodium, potassium and chloride,
molecules like glucose are maintained at proper concentration for cells to function normally. Proteins also acts as catalyst.
A large group of proteins, known as enzymes, enable the cells to carry out chemical reactions fast. In order for the
organism to maintain growth and survival, the food being consumed must be converted to energy at an appreciable rate.
LIPIDS
The term lipid refers to a wide variety of biomolecules including fats, oils, waxes and steroid hormones.
Regardless of their structure, location or function in a cell/body, all lipids share common features that enable them to be
grouped together. They do not dissolve in water; they are hydrophobic. The hydrophobic nature of the lipids dictates
many of their uses in biological systems. Lipids are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and
sulfur (lipids also contain nitrogen in some cases). Fats are a good source of stored energy while oils and waxes are used
to form protective layers on our skin, preventing infection. Some lipids, the steroid hormones, are important regulators of
cell activity. The activities of steroid hormones such as estrogen have been implicated in cancers of the female
reproductive system.

NUCLEIC ACIDS
Nucleic acid, naturally occurring chemical compound that is capable of being broken down to yield phosphoric
acid, sugars, and a mixture of organic bases (purines and pyrimidines). Nucleic acids are the main information-
carrying molecules of the cell, and, by directing the process of protein synthesis, they determine the inherited
characteristics of every living thing. These molecules are comprised of elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus
and nitrogen. The two main classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
DNA is the master blueprint for life and constitutes the genetic material in all free ving organisms and most
viruses. DNA contains the information on what proteins will be created. On the other hand, RNA is the one
responsible to create the proteins based on the information given by the DNA. RNA is the genetic material of
certain viruses, but it is also found in all living cells.
Nucleic acids are polynucleotides— that is, long chainlike molecules composed of a series of nearly identical
building blocks called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogen-containing aromatic base attached to a pentose
(five-carbon) sugar, which is in turn attached to a phosphate group. Each nucleic acid contains four of five possible
nitrogen-containing bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). A and G are
categorized as purines, while C, T, and U are collectively called pyrimidines.

Biomolecules have a single basic building unit called a monomer. It comes from the Greek words monos,
meaning "single" and meros meaning "part”.
A monomer is a single unit forming a long chain of molecules creating a repeated pattern. The long chain
molecule is now composed of many atoms. Monomers are joined together to form polymers. The prefix “-poly” comes
from the Greek word polus, meaning “many”, so polymer means "many parts." This is a long molecule consisting of
many similar building blocks, or a repeated pattern of various building blocks.
The classes of biological molecules may be grouped into the types of polymers they form and the monomers that act as
subunits:
 Lipids - polymers called diglycerides, triglycerides;
monomers are fatty acids
 Proteins - polymers are known as polypeptides;
monomers are amino acids
 Nucleic Acids - polymers are DNA and RNA;
monomers are nucleotides,
which are in turn consist of a
nitrogenous base, pentose sugar,
and phosphate group
 Carbohydrates - polymers are polysaccharides and disaccharides;
monomers are monosaccharides (simple sugars)

ACTIVITIES
Task 1: Below are the different molecular structures and chemical models related to biomolecules that will be discussed
in this activity. Supply the missing letters of the unknown terms. Write your answers on the space provided.
1. 2.

3. 4.

Task 2: Look for the six (6) most common elements that can be found in biomolecules. Box the name of the elements that
you’ve found. Use the acronym CHNOPS as basis of the element names.

6 ELEMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Task 3: Complete the table below by supplying AT LEAST ONE example of a monomer with its polymer for each
macromolecule.

Task 4: Let’s summarize what you have learned from the lesson and activities by completing the sentences using the
words inside the box. You can only use each word once.
 Task 5: ESSAY

1. "Nature's Nano-Architects: How do Biomolecules Construct the Marvels of Life?"

Explore the structural diversity and functional versatility of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids,
and carbohydrates. Discuss how their intricate arrangements and interactions give rise to the complex structures
and processes observed in living organisms. (300 words)
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Thank you for doing your best in this activity!

Ma’am CHA!