Biomolekulare

Biomolekulare are the molecules produced by living organisms and essential to life. They include four major classes of macromolecules—proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids—as well as smaller molecules such as metabolites and cofactors that regulate cellular processes.

Proteins are polymers of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions, including catalysis as enzymes, structural roles in cells and tissues, transport, and signaling. Nucleic acids, primarily DNA and RNA, store genetic information, direct protein synthesis, and regulate gene expression. Carbohydrates range from simple sugars to large polysaccharides and provide energy, store carbon, and contribute to cell structure and recognition. Lipids encompass fats, oils, phospholipids, and sterols; they form cellular membranes, store energy, and participate in signaling pathways.

Beyond these four major classes, biomolekulare include vitamins, cofactors, signaling molecules, and metabolites that regulate metabolism and cellular communication. The function of a biomolecule is closely tied to its chemical structure, reactive groups, and three-dimensional conformation, as well as its interactions with other molecules and the cellular environment. Polymers such as proteins and nucleic acids arise from the polymerization of monomer units, while many smaller biomolecules act as substrates, regulators, or energy sources.

Biomolekulare are studied across disciplines such as biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, and biophysics. Techniques used to analyze them include spectroscopy, chromatography, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Knowledge of biomolekulare underpins advances in medicine, biotechnology, and synthetic biology, driving understanding of life processes and the development of therapeutic and industrial applications.