Biomolecules introduction || class 11 biology Sindh board
What Are Biomolecules?
Biomolecules are the natural chemical compounds that living organisms are made of.
They are produced inside cells and are essential for life because they:
- Build the structure of cells and tissues
- Store and transfer genetic information
- Provide energy
- Control chemical reactions in the body
Biomolecules are mainly made from six key elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur.
Major Types of Biomolecules
- Carbohydrates – provide quick energy
- Proteins – build body structures and act as enzymes
- Lipids – store energy and form cell membrane.
- Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA, which store genetic information
- Conjugated molecules – combinations like glycoproteins and lipoproteins
In short:
> Biomolecules are the chemical substances that make life possible.
Introduction to Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the branch of biology that studies the chemical basis of life.
It focuses on the structure, composition, and reactions of the molecules found inside living organisms.
Biochemistry explains how life functions at the molecular level and why certain processes occur inside every cell.
Why Is Biochemistry Important?
Biochemistry is considered one of the most important branches of biology because of the following reasons:
1. It Explains All Cellular Processes
Biochemistry helps us understand how:
- Body structures are built (muscles, membranes, bones, hormones, etc.)
- DNA stores and transfers information
- Proteins and enzymes are produced
- Cells grow, divide, communicate, and respond to their environment
In simple words, biochemistry tells us how living organisms work from the inside.
2. It Helps Identify Abnormalities That Cause Diseases
When the normal chemical processes of the body become disturbed, diseases occur.
Biochemistry helps us understand:
- Which reactions have changed
- What molecules are affected
- How these changes lead to symptoms
This knowledge leads to:
- Development of new medicines
- Diagnostic technologies
- Medical equipment
- Better treatment strategies
So biochemistry is essential for medical science.
3. It Helps Answer Complex Biological Questions
Modern biochemistry provides answers to some of the most fascinating questions in biology and medicine.
How do cells find each other to form organs?
Cells communicate using chemical signals and surface proteins.
These signals tell cells:
- Where to move
- When to attach
- When to stop dividing
This organized communication helps form tissues and complex organs.
How is the growth of cells controlled?
Cell growth is controlled by:
- Growth hormones
- Chemical signals
- Cell cycle proteins
- DNA instructions
If these controls fail, cells may divide uncontrollably.
What causes cancer?
Cancer happens when:
- DNA gets damaged (mutations)
- Control of cell division is lost
- Abnormal cells start dividing rapidly
Biochemistry identifies these mutations and helps design treatments.
What is the mechanism of memory?
Memory forms when:
- Neurons strengthen their connections
- Chemical changes occur at synapses
- Special molecules store and transmit signals
Biochemistry helps us understand the chemical basis of learning and memory.
Biochemistry is the only branch of science that answers these questions at a molecular level.
Life Is Based on Chemical Molecules
Organisms are made of tissues, tissues are made of cells, and cells are made of molecules.
Molecules are formed when atoms bond together.
This means that living organisms are essentially made of chemicals.
This idea supports the second postulate of cell theory:
> The structure and function of a cell depend on its chemical composition.
To fully understand how organisms function, grow, and survive, we must understand the chemical composition of cells.
Why Study the Chemical Composition of Cells?
Studying cell chemistry allows us to understand:
- How cells work internally
- How different tissues perform their functions
- How energy is produced and used
- How diseases develop at the molecular level
- How medicines act on cells
In short, understanding cell chemistry is essential for understanding life, health, and disease.
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