3. Biomolecules and Related Techniques
Biomolecules are organic molecules critical for life, encompassing proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. These biomolecules serve various functions such as energy provision, structural support, and information storage, and their analysis involves techniques like chromatography, electrophoresis, and PCR. The chapter highlights the roles of biomolecules in biotechnology, including applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental remediation.
Sections
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What we have learnt
- Biomolecules are essential for life and play critical roles in energy production, metabolism, and genetic information storage.
- Different types of biomolecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, each with specific structures and functions.
- Techniques like chromatography, electrophoresis, PCR, and ELISA are important for analyzing and manipulating biomolecules for various applications.
Key Concepts
- -- Biomolecules
- Organic molecules essential for life, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- -- Carbohydrates
- Biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that provide energy and structural support.
- -- Proteins
- Polymers made of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions, including enzymatic, structural, and transport roles.
- -- Lipids
- Hydrophobic molecules that include triglycerides and phospholipids, crucial for energy storage and cell membranes.
- -- Nucleic Acids
- Biomolecules that carry genetic information, specifically DNA and RNA.
- -- Chromatography
- A technique used for separating and analyzing compounds based on various properties like size and charge.
- -- Electrophoresis
- A method for separating biomolecules based on size and charge through an electric field.
- -- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- A technique to amplify specific segments of DNA.
Additional Learning Materials
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