Biomolecule

A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing alpha helices, represented by ribbons. This protein was the first to have its structure solved by X-ray crystallography by Max Perutz and Sir John Cowdery Kendrew in 1958, for which they received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

A biomolecule is any molecule that is produced by a living organism. This includes large macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as many smaller molecule A more general name for this class of molecules is biogenic substances.

Types of biomolecules

A diverse range of biomolecules exist, including:

• Small molecules:
  • Lipids, polysaccharides, glycolipids, sterols, glycerolipids
  • Vitamins
  • Hormones, neurotransmitters
  • Metabolites
• Monomers, oligomers and polymers:

Biomonomers	Bio-oligomers	Biopolymers	Covalent bond name between monomers
Amino acids	Oligopeptides	Polypeptides, proteins (hemoglobin...)	Peptide bond
Monosaccharides	Oligosaccharides	Polysaccharides (cellulose...)	Glycosidic bond
Nucleotides	Oligonucleotides	Polynucleotides, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)	Phosphodiester bond