Biomolecule

A biomolecule is any molecule produced by a living organism. That includes large macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as many smaller molecules.

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 John Kendrew in 1958, for which they received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Biomolecules are used in biological processes such as cell division, morphogenesis, or development.^[1]

Just four elements—oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen—make up 96% of the human body's mass. But many other elements, such as the various biometals, are also present in small (but vital) amounts.^[2]

Biometals are at the heart of many biomolecules. One or two atoms of copper, zinc, iron or manganese are in the most important biological molecules.^[3][4] They act as cofactors, electron donors, at the heart of key biological molecules.

Types of biomolecules

A huge 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