INTRODUCTION TO

BIOCHEMISTRY!
All LIVINGthings are mostly made
of 4 types of molecules called
BIOMOLECULES.

BIOMOLECULES are very

large molecules of many
ATOMS covalently bonded
together
All BIOMOLECULES contain
CARBON (C)
 4 categories of
BIOMOLECULES
proteins

carbohydrates

lipids

nucleic acids
ENERGY is stored in the
COVALENTBONDS of these large
molecules . When we eat, we get
energy to live as chemical
reactions within our bodies break
these bonds .

Our bodies can then use the

parts of these large molecules
to build new molecules that
build our bodies .
PROTEINS
• Build muscle, bone, structural
support of the cell, etc.
• Function as enzymes to speed
chemical reactions within the body
• Function as pigments and steroid
hormones

Made of many
AMINOACIDS
bonded
together in a
C, H, O, N
long chain.
MONOMER POLYMER CELLSTRUCTURE

amino acid protein chain muscle fiber

PROTEI
N
CARBOHYDRATES
• Store ENERGY
•Provide some structure

Single sugar molecule

Made of many
SUGARS
bonded together
in a LONG
Composed of C, H, and O
CHAIN
MONOMER POLYMER CELLSTUCTURE

sugar starch starch grains in

chloroplasts

CARBOHYDRA
TE
 LIPIDS
• Store ENERGY
• Form cell membranes
• Act as chemical
messengers (steroid Composed of C, H, and O
hormones ) AGLYCEROLwith 3 FATTY
ACIDCHAINS
Can be SATURATEDor
UNSATURATEDdepending
on type of BONDS
SUBUNIT MOLECULE CELL
STRUCTURE

fatty acid fat molecule adipose (fat) cells

LIPI
D
NUCLEICACIDS
• Store genetic information
• Direct the production of
PROTEINS
Composed of C, H, N, O, P

Made of many
NUCLEOTIDES
bonded togetherin
a long chain
MONOMER POLYMER CELL
STRUCTURE

Nucleotide DNAstrand
chromosome
NUCLEIC