An insight in the biophysical properties of bio macromolecules
Natural biopolymers such as nucleic acids, proteins and carbohydrates are essential for life as we see it today. It is incredible to think how this vast set of molecules that are in every living thing, from bacteria to human beings, are mostly made up by six elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus). These biopolymers have the properties to, from small monomers, build giant tridimensional structures with a lot of different functions. How physical and chemical properties of atoms make these macromolecules possible? What is the chemistry behind their three dimensional configuration?
Chemistry inside the fundamental units
Nucleic acids are the most important biopolymers because they encode all the information to make any living organism. DNA and RNA have nucleotides as primary structure. They are divided in two groups, purines and pyrimidines. Purines and pyrimidines are hetero-aromatic compounds in which nitrogen have been replace carbon in positions …show more content…
Glycogen has the function of packing glucose units and stores them until the body needs them. It is branched every eight to twelve residues which make it water soluble. Because of its α1-4 linkage, the body can break the linkage to use glucose as a source of energy. Cellulose is also form by glucose monomers but in a β linkage. Humans cannot metabolize cellulose because they do not have the enzyme to break that type of bond. In lactose intolerance, the person does not have the enzyme to break the cross bond that is formed in the disaccharide. Moreover, glycosaminoglycan forms a gel-like structure as part of cartilage absorbing the force of the impact and protecting the bones. Carbohydrates function in cell signaling is vital; by changing their structure, the whole function of an antibody may
Natural biopolymers such as nucleic acids, proteins and carbohydrates are essential for life as we see it today. It is incredible to think how this vast set of molecules that are in every living thing, from bacteria to human beings, are mostly made up by six elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus). These biopolymers have the properties to, from small monomers, build giant tridimensional structures with a lot of different functions. How physical and chemical properties of atoms make these macromolecules possible? What is the chemistry behind their three dimensional configuration?
Chemistry inside the fundamental units
Nucleic acids are the most important biopolymers because they encode all the information to make any living organism. DNA and RNA have nucleotides as primary structure. They are divided in two groups, purines and pyrimidines. Purines and pyrimidines are hetero-aromatic compounds in which nitrogen have been replace carbon in positions …show more content…
Glycogen has the function of packing glucose units and stores them until the body needs them. It is branched every eight to twelve residues which make it water soluble. Because of its α1-4 linkage, the body can break the linkage to use glucose as a source of energy. Cellulose is also form by glucose monomers but in a β linkage. Humans cannot metabolize cellulose because they do not have the enzyme to break that type of bond. In lactose intolerance, the person does not have the enzyme to break the cross bond that is formed in the disaccharide. Moreover, glycosaminoglycan forms a gel-like structure as part of cartilage absorbing the force of the impact and protecting the bones. Carbohydrates function in cell signaling is vital; by changing their structure, the whole function of an antibody may