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Biomolecules- Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins and Fats |
Biomolecules: Carbohydrates
- Any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch and cellulose.
- They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the animal body.
Biomolecules: Types of Carbohydrates
On the hydrolysis basis: Monosaccharides, Oligosaccharides, Polysaccharides.
| Monosaccharides: |
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| Oligosaccharides: |
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| Polysaccharides: |
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Biomolecules: Diabetes Mellitus
- Generally referred as Diabetes, is a chronic condition where the Pancreas gland does not generate enough insulin required by the body to regulate glucose metabolism, which leads to high blood sugar levels in the body.
- All carbohydrates are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps glucose to get into cells. (insulin converts glucose into glycogen)
- Normal blood sugar level for our body is 150- 200mg/dl.
Biomolecules: Two classes of Diabetes Mellitus
| Type 1 DM/ Insulin dependent diabetes | It is one of type where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin in body, it needs daily insulin injection to maintain blood glucose level.
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but most frequently occurs in children and adolescents. |
| Type 2 DM/ Insulin resistance diabetes | In this type, pancreas produces some insulin, but its not sufficient as per body requirements and cells are resistant to it.
Type 2 diabetes treatment involves a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activities and healthy diets. More common in adults, and accounts for 90% of diabetes cases. |
| Gestational diabetes | is a type of diabetes usually occurs when a pregnant woman develops high blood sugar levels without a previous history of diabetes.
It usually disappears after pregnancy but mother and child are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later stages of life. |
Biomolecules: Proteins
- Biomolecules, comprising a class of nitrogenous organic compounds which have large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms, especially as structural components of body tissues such as muscle, hair etc., and as enzymes and antibodies.
- Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal world.
- Proteins, one of the significant Biomolecules, can be classified into two types based on molecular shape, encompassing Biomolecules: Fibrous proteins (fiber-like structure, insoluble in water), Globular proteins (spherical shape, soluble in water).
| Proteins | Functions |
| Collagen | Intercellular ground substance |
| Insulin | Hormone |
| Antibody | Fight Infectious agents |
| Receptor | Sensory reception(smell, taste etc) |
| GLUT-4 | Enables glucose transport into cells |
Biomolecules: Vitamins
- Organic compounds are required in small amounts in our bodies to develop and function normally.
- These essential Biomolecules play crucial roles in various physiological processes, ensuring overall well-being.
- Most of the vitamins cannot be synthesized in our body but plants can synthesize almost all of them.
- Vitamins can be classified on basis of solubility:
- Fat-Soluble vitamins: Soluble in fats and oil but insoluble in water. They are stored in liver and adipose tissues. E.g., vitamin A, D, E, K (KEDA).
- Water-Soluble vitamins: needs regular supply in the diet, excreted in urine and cannot be stored in our body. E.g., vitamin B and C groups (except B12).
- Deficiency of vitamins can cause several diseases.
| Vitamins/Minerals | Deficiency disease | Sources | Functions |
| A (Retinol) – Fat soluble | Night blindness | Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, milk, liver, watermelon etc. | Necessary for wound healing, growth and normal immune functions, formation of rhodopsin for vision in dim light |
| B1 (Thiamine) – Water soluble (Anti stress vitamin) | Beriberi | Fresh fruits, corn, cashew nuts, peas, wheat, milk, dates, black beans etc. | Part of an Enzyme, needed for energy metabolism and nerve functions. |
| B2 (Riboflavin) – Water soluble | Ariboflavinosis, Photophobia, poor growth | Bananas, grapes, pumpkin, yoghurt, mushroom, popcorn, liver etc. | Essentials for growth, enzymatic role in tissue respiration and acts as transporter of hydrogen ions. |
| B3 (Niacin) – Water soluble | Pellagra, dermatitis, dementia | Meat, eggs, fish, milk, guava, peanuts, cereals, green peas etc. | Helps in oxidation and energy releases, synthesis of glycogen and breakdown of fatty acids |
| B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – Water soluble | Fatigue, loss of antibody production, sleep disturbances | Meat, kidney, egg yolk, fish, chicken, legumes, avocado etc. | Synthesis of vital body compounds, essential in intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein. |
| B6 (Pyridoxine) – Water soluble | Microcytic Anaemia, irritability | Pork, chicken, bread, wholegrain, soya beans, cereals etc. | Essential for normal growth, Synthesis and breakdown of amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids |
| B7 (Biotin) – Water soluble | Dermatitis, enteritis, insomnia | Walnuts, peanuts, milk, egg yolks, salmon, mushroom, cauliflower, banana, raspberries etc. | Essential components of enzymes, carrier of carbon dioxide, metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids |
| B9 (Folic Acid) – Water soluble | Megaloblastic anaemia (poor growth) | Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, beets, legumes etc. | Essential in biosynthesis of nucleic acids, necessary for red blood cell maturation |
| B12 (Cobalamin) | Pernicious anaemia, neurological deterioration | Fish, meats, poultry, eggs, Breast milk etc. | Essential in biosynthesis of nucleic acids, red blood cell maturation; involved in central nervous system metabolism |
| C (Ascorbic Acid) – Water soluble | Scurvy (bleeding gums) | Fresh citrus such as oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, goat milk, chestnuts etc. | Essential in synthesis of collagen, iron absorption and transportation, water soluble antioxidants; |
| D (Calciferol) – Fat soluble | Rickets (soft bones) | Fish, beef, cod liver oil, egg yolk, liver, cereals etc. | Necessary for normal bone formation, helps absorption of calcium and phosphorus in Intestines |
| E (Tocopherol) – Fat soluble | Muscles damages, less fertility | Potatoes, pumpkin, guava, mango, Breast milk, nuts and seeds. | Antioxidants, role in neuromuscular function |
| K (Phytonadione) – Fat soluble | Non-clotting of blood | Tomatoes, broccoli, mangoes, grapes, chestnuts, lamb etc. | Required in other blood clotting factors, synthesis by intestinal bacteria |
| Calcium | Rickets- abnormal development of bones | Breast milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified grains, kale, mustards, salmon. | Builds and maintains bones and teeth, essential in blood clotting |
| Iodine | Endemic goitre, depressed thyroid function | Breast milk, seafood, iodized salt | Helps regulate thyroid hormones, regulation of cellular oxidation and growth |
| Iron | Hypochromic microcytic anaemia, lethargy | Breast milk, meat, liver, legumes, cereals, green leafy vegetables | Formation of haemoglobin and oxygen transport, increase resistant to infections. |
| Zinc | Mild anaemia, hair loss, growth failure | Breast milk, egg yolk, seafood, liver, oysters, whole-grain breads, cereals | Components of many enzyme system and insulin |
| Phosphorus | Muscles weakness, cardiac arrhythmias. | Orange juice, bananas, yogurt, potatoes, soy products | Builds and maintains bones and teeth, functions in energy metabolism. |
Biomolecules: Cholesterol
- Is an organic compound, fat-like insoluble waxy substance, found in all cells of our body and is circulated through the blood cells with the help of Lipoproteins.
- Cholesterol is synthesized in the liver. Two types of Cholesterol:
- Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL): Bad cholesterol.
- High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL): Good cholesterol.
- Cholesterol plays an important role in creating cells, hormones, vitamin D production and bile acids.
Biomolecules: Fats
- Fat ,one of the significant Biomolecules, is a major source of energy and helps our body absorb vitamins.
- Fats, also known as triglycerides, are esters of three fatty acid chains and the alcohol glycerol.
- Fats are solid at room temperature, generally insoluble in water.
- Essential Fatty acid: are called essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body.
- Two essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (an Omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an Omega- 6 fatty acids).
Biomolecules: Two types of Fats on basis of saturation
| SATURATED FAT: |
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| UNSATURATED FAT: |
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| HEALTHY FATS: |
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| UNHEALTHY FATS |
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Biomolecules: Malnutrition
Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients. Causes include a poor diet, digestive conditions or another disease. The nutrients involved are calories, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins or minerals.
Malnutrition- Types
| Undernutrition: |
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| Acute Malnutrition or wasting: |
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| Obesity: |
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Related Information
- Global Nutrition Report 2020– India is among 88 countries that are likely to miss the global nutrition’s target by 2025.
- FAO– 14.5% of India’s population is undernourished.
- Global Hunger Index 2019 report– India ranked 102nd out of 117 countries.
- UNICEF report– 38% of children younger than 5 years of age in India are stunted.
- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh has the highest percentages of underweight child births in India.
| Initiatives
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World Food Day– October 16, to address the problem of global Hunger.
POSHAN Abhiyan– to ensure a “Malnutrition Free India” by 2022. Mid-day Meal scheme– to improve nutritional levels in school children. National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013– to ensure food and nutrition security to the most vulnerable, making access to food a legal right. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme– aims at providing food, preschool education, primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers. |
