Biochemistry Basics

The Basics of Biochemistry

1. Carbohydrates (Sugars & Starches)

• Job: Quick energy, storage, and cell structure.

• Made of: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O).

• General formula: C₆H₁₂O₆ (for many simple sugars).

Types:

• Monosaccharides (Mono = one, saccharide = sugar)

  • The simplest sugars, one unit.

  • Examples: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose.

  • Function: Fast energy.

• Disaccharides (Di = two)

  • Two monosaccharides linked together.

  • Examples:

    • Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose (table sugar)

    • Lactose = Glucose + Galactose (milk sugar)

    • Maltose = Glucose + Glucose

• Polysaccharides (Poly = many)

  • Long chains of sugars.

  • Examples:

    • Starch (plants, stored energy)

    • Glycogen (animals, stored energy in liver/muscle)

    • Cellulose (plant cell walls, fiber for us)

    • Chitin (exoskeletons of insects/crustaceans)

2. Lipids (Fats and Oils)

• Job: Long-term energy storage, insulation, making cell membranes, hormones.

• Made of: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), small Oxygen (O).

Types:

• Fats (Triglycerides): Glycerol + 3 fatty acids.

• Phospholipids: Make up cell membranes.

• Steroids: Hormones (estrogen, testosterone, cholesterol).

3. Proteins

• Job: Building blocks of life. Structure, enzymes, transport, defense (antibodies).

• Made of: Chains of amino acids (20 different ones).

• Examples: Hemoglobin (carries oxygen), Enzymes (speed reactions), Collagen (structure).

4. Nucleic Acids

• Job: Store and transmit genetic information.

• Made of: Nucleotides (sugar + phosphate + nitrogen base).

• Types:

  • DNA: Blueprint of life (A, T, G, C bases).

  • RNA: Helps build proteins (A, U, G, C bases).

Easy Analogy

Think of the cell as a city:

• Carbs = energy (electricity, fuel)

• Fats = storage and insulation (batteries, walls)

• Proteins = workers & machines (do all the jobs)

• Nucleic acids = instruction manual (plans for building the city)