Biology
Isos Jenif
BiologicalMacromolecules.docxBiological Macromolecules
The human body needs macromolecules to perform various functions in the body. It is through the four macromolecules the body organs can function without complications. The paper below reviews the functions of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids macromolecules. The paper also illustrates the types of foods where each biomolecule can be found in plenty.
Lipids
Lipids act as chemical messengers in the human body. The human body cells require to send chemical messages to coordinate the tissue activities. Lipids act as the signaling molecules of the cells for their insoluble nature. The lipids attach themselves to receptors on the cell surface and provide changes that result in actions. The lipids used for signaling exist in an esterified form that allows them to infiltrate membranes. Thus lipids are used to carry signals from one cell to another.
Lipids are also used to storing and providing energy for the human body. Lipids are stored in form of triacylglycerol. The stored lipids are useful during starvation as they produce energy and components used in cell formation.
Lipids help the body maintain the ideal temperature by providing a layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin. This layer is responsible for insulation and maintaining the body temperature even on cold exposure.
Lipids are used in the formation of cholesterol that is located in the cell membrane and freely in the blood as plasma lipoproteins. The lipoproteins are composed of lipids and proteins that help the lipids travel in an aqueous environment.
The lipids are also essential in membrane lipid layer formation. The Linoleic and linoleic acids are used to form the arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, and eicosapentaenoic acids that form the membrane lipids. Thus lipids are vital information of the flexible and fluid membrane of a cell.
Lipids are mainly found in oils and fats. The lipids can be found in vegetable oil, cheese, butter, sunflower oil, peanut, olive, and corn among many others. Foods rich in oil like avocado, fish, nuts, seeds, salad dressing are also good sources of lipids.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are also used to conserve energy in the human body. When human beings consume food, the body chooses to take the only glucose amount required by the cells. The rest of the glucose is stored in the liver and the muscles for future use by the body. The stored glucose is known as glycogen.
Moreover, carbohydrates provide the body with the agents to preserve the muscle. Glycogen is one of the many ways the body stores glucose. The muscle cells are used to store the carbohydrates which are also crucial for body movement. Thus the carbohydrates reduce muscle breakdown by providing the energy required by the body during starvation.
Lastly, carbohydrates provide the body with fiber that is used to promote digestive health. The fiber exists in an insoluble and insoluble form. The soluble fiber helps in improving stool consistency. The insoluble fiber prevents constipation and prevents human beings from digestive tract illnesses.
Carbohydrates are found in various diets that human beings take daily. The foods that contain carbohydrate nutrients include whole grains, legumes, potatoes, lentils, peas, and beans. The other sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Lastly, carbohydrates exist in three types. Complex carbohydrates, simple, and fiber.
Proteins
Proteins are complex biomolecules that act as the antibodies that help the body from getting infected by bacteria and viruses. For instance, immunoglobulin G binds with foreign body particles to create a shield that protects the rest of the body cells from being affected and getting damaged.
The proteins also act as enzymes that are used to enhance chemical reactions. The enzymes are executing the thousands of chemical reactions that take place in the human body cells. The enzymes also assist information of new molecules by understanding the genetic information stored in the DNA of a cell. For instance, phenylalanine hydroxylase is used to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine.
Proteins also act as messengers in the human body. Messenger proteins like hormones are used to transmit signals that coordinate different biological processes in the human body. The biological processes in the human body are performed at cells or tissues, and organs. For instance, the growth hormone binds itself with receptors to stimulate the growth of cells and maintain the tissues and organs.
Proteins are also responsible for the development of structural components of the cells. The body is mainly build-up of proteins that constitute the cell structure support. Actin is an example of a multi-functional protein that allows the creation of the contractile characteristic of the body muscle and other cells.
Proteins are also used in transportation in the human body and storage. Through binding, the proteins can move atoms and small molecules in the body from one cell to another. Ferritin is an example of a blood protein that stores iron.
Lastly, proteins are made up of amino acids and are found in plant and animal foods. High protein foods include beef, cheese, eggs, milk, red kidney beans, rolled oats, pasta, nuts, and peas.
Nucleic acids
Nucleic acid plays a role in the maintenance and storage of genetic information. The nucleic acids are used for encoding information in the human body. Nucleic acids exist as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). In encoding information, the DNA is responsible for the storage of the genetic code of a human being. The information stored includes the data used by the cells or different body organs to perform different activities.
The nucleic acid is also responsible for transferring information in the cell. The cell of a human body can receive instructions on how to make its structure. The mRNA is used to act as the messenger within the nucleus of the cell. The mRNA acts as the template that stores the information from the DNA on protein production.
The nucleic acids are also used in reading templates in the human cell. The rRNA is also known as the ribosome reads the mRNA information and generates proteins. The ribosomes are therefore the interpreters of the information carried by the mRNA.
Moreover, the Nucleic acids are responsible for the fetching of amino acids in the cells. The Transfer RNA (tRNA) is responsible for the generation of proteins from the mRNA. The tRNA assists in fetching the appropriate amino acid for assembly into proteins.
Lastly, the sources of nucleic acids include beans, spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, lentils, asparagus, and peas. Thus the main source of nucleic acids is vegetables and asparagus has the highest content.
References
Pearson, K., PhD. (2017, November 9). What Are the Key Functions of Carbohydrates? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carbohydrate-functions
