Biomolecules Concept Map Template

Human life has been produced through cells, which are believed to be the smallest form of the living organism in the world. For the survival of cellular organisms across the body, the need for energy and nutrients is essential. From where does this energy come from? Organic molecules emerging from biomolecules examples hold the responsibility of providing the cells the ability to cover life-sustaining tasks.

The size and structure of biomolecules variates, whereas their functions are also significantly different from each other. Emerging from 25 naturally occurring elements, biomolecules can thus be found, providing aid across many life functions. Talking about their basic classification in scientific adaptations, biomolecules are referred to as small biomolecules or macromolecules. Some common types and classes of these types are provided as follows:

For this article, we shall assert our focus on macromolecules and their discussion as biomolecules examples.

In this part, readers will be introduced to the four major types of biomolecules, their purposeful functions, and examples that would help them understand the organic entities responsible for life's sustenance.

The diet that we intake daily has a major proportion of carbohydrates. Being one of the most important biomolecules of the food cycle, they are the ultimate source of energy that helps us function throughout the day. A meal without carbohydrates is equivalent to nothing for the human body. While they are the most important biomolecule for the human body, they are also the most abundant entity on Earth.

Classification and Functions of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are referred to as the parent form of biomolecules in scientific terminology. However, as they are divided in hydrolysis, they are segregated into three major classes. These classes are distributed in accordance with their functionality which is stated as follows:

1. Monosaccharides
   In scientific identification, carbohydrates are referred to as polyhydroxy aldehyde or polyhydroxy ketone. Monosaccharides, the first recognized class of carbohydrates, are the single unit of polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone.
   They represent some significant features of being colorless, crystalline solids that dissolve in water if exposed. Some notable examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, ribose, and arabinose, mostly referred to as the premium energy sources for the human body.
2. Disaccharides
   Joined by O-glycosidic bonds, disaccharides constitute two units of sugars, which cater to many significant energy processes of living things. This classification contains many known examples that hold many important energy sources among living organisms. Lactose, a significant energy source among animals, and sucrose, a product of photosynthesis, are some renowned examples of disaccharides. Some more examples of this classification in carbohydrates include maltose, trehalose, and cellobiose.
3. Polysaccharides
   Carbohydrates that contain more than two sugar monomer units are regarded as polysaccharides. Also remembered as glycans, these can be considered under two premier types of homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides.
   • Homopolysaccharides:These sugar units of a single type are classified under their functions, which leads to two basic divisions of structural polysaccharides and storage polysaccharides. The first type caters to the mechanical stability within the human body's cells, organs, and organisms. Chitin and cellulose are remembered to be some important examples of such types. Storage polysaccharides, on the other hand, are the storage carbohydrate spaces that release sugar monomers when required by the human body. We can find starch and glycogen to be some important examples of this classification.
   • Heteropolysaccharides:Sugar units with multiple types are referred to as heteropolysaccharides. With diverse functionalities, we can find such types of carbohydrates in the form of heparin which is an anticoagulant, or hyaluronic acid, which is a shock absorber present in the human body.

Unbranched polymers of amino acid residues are referred to as proteins. These biomolecules are found across major human body mechanisms, with participation across every process within a human cell. From replication to metabolism, proteins are found to be extremely effective in the execution of the processes. Under the idea, proteins exist in eight primary groups that are considered the classes of this biomolecule.

Classification and Functions of Proteins
Proteins exist in multiple structural formations; however, for this article, we shall be dividing this biomolecule type according to their functional properties:

1. Structural Proteins
   Found in connective tissues, bones, nails, and horns of living organisms, this form of protein is the strongest type among all proteins. They are known for their toughness and the property of being insoluble in water. Some prominent examples of such protein types include elastin and keratin.
2. Hormones
   Our body enhances as it ages, which is evolved with the help of hormones. This form of protein, which exists as long chains of linked amino acids, plays roles in covering human processes of reproduction, growth, sleep, etc. These protein types are quite evident and common, where we find discussion of many significant hormones such as growth hormone (GH).
3. Transport Proteins
   A basic animal cell contains cell membranes, the entity which is responsible for ensuring the gap between the wanted and unwanted molecules in the cells. Associated with the transport protein, they form channels within the plasma of the membrane that only allows specific molecules to enter the cell. They can also be found across the blood.
4. Motor Proteins
   This protein type focuses on the body's movement through muscles. From contraction to relaxation of muscles, motor proteins can be found in this specific section of the body in the form of actin, kinesin, etc.
5. Enzymes
   The living form of catalysts, enzymes hold an integral role in the coverage of processes such as digestion. By catalyzing the complete procedure, the decrease the time by increasing the rate of reaction. Some renowned examples include lipase, nitrogenase, etc.
6. Toxins
   Produced by bacteria, toxins such as diphtheria toxin and exotoxins help bacteria attack and kill the host organism within the body.
7. Storage Proteins
   This protein type exists as storage reserves of amino acids and metal ions, usually required in eggs, seeds, and pulses. Some prominent examples of storage proteins include ferritin and casein.
8. Respiratory Pigments
   Soluble in water, this form of protein helps create oxygen for muscles and hemoglobin, which accounts to be among the most important processes of the human body in daily life.

These biomolecules examples are generally found across cells and viruses, which are responsible for the transfusion of genetic information. Scientifically emerging as polymers of nucleotides, this form of biomolecules is referred to as a very significant function of the human body related to reproduction.

Classification and Functions of Nucleic Acids
Scientists have generally divided nucleic acids into two categories for their nature, structure, and function:

1. Deoxyribonucleic Acids (DNA)
   Associated with hereditary material, DNA can be found across the nucleus of a cell. Emerging in the form of helix structure, DNA is based on multiple properties, including hydration levels, sequence, chemical modification, type, and concentration of the metal ion present in the solution. This genetic material, according to the formation of properties, holds and stores information that is to be transferred. The structure and function of DNA explain living organisms and their development.
2. Ribonucleic Acids (RNA)
   This can be found across all living cells, where it can be utilized as a genetic material as well as enzymatic material. RNA is found as rRNA, mRNA, and tRNA across living organisms, which have distinctive roles and functions in the life cycle of a living organism. As it is known that DNA cannot leave the cell, RNA holds the responsibility of transferring the genetic information held by the DNA through transcription and translation.

This type of biomolecule exists as hydrophobic materials, constituting a chain of hydrocarbons that are chemically diverse and can be found across structures and storage within cell structures. Lipids are organic compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble across other organic solvents, which include ether etc.

Classification and Functions of Lipids
Lipids exist in six distinctive classes in the living organisms, with distinctive features and structures. They can be found as:

1. Steroids
   Steroids essentially are not recommended for external consumption; however, our bodies do produce and contain necessary steroids that are used to function in multiple processes within living organisms. Cholesterol, a consistent example of a steroid, is quite common among human beings.
2. Eicosanoids
   Derived from the polyunsaturated fatty acids, this classification of lipids is quite consistent in ensuring consistency in multiple functions such as blood pressure and inflammation.
3. Fatty Acids
   Being the simplest in the classifications, these are generally utilized in building other formations of lipids in the human body.
4. Waxes
   Synthesized by many plants and animals, these are generally recognized as esters developed from fatty acids and long-chain alcohols within the body.
5. Phospholipids
   This form of lipids is usually discovered across the cell membrane of a basic cell unit.
6. Glycolipids
   Involved in signal transductions, glycolipids are generally discovered across cell membranes.

This map has carbohydrates as the baseline, with branches showing the subcategories of carbohydrates. These subcategories undergo further division, with the arrows representing their types and uses. In this manner, many concepts are illustrated and brought together to create an inclusive index.

This technique of creating a concept map utilizes the tool of boxes as a means of drawing attention to a particular phrase or name. Additionally, the arrows make it easier to identify connections between concepts, therefore, making the process of studying and retaining complex information much simpler.

This is another exciting way of simplifying information. Definitions, origins, structures, and examples can be broken down and displayed separately using the concept maps to ensure only pertinent information is present for the recipient to memorize, therefore saving time. By identifying the important concepts and removing excess information, even the most challenging concepts can be made simpler.

This concept map utilizes techniques already discussed to present information regarding lipids in a concise and appealing manner. This also helps recipients retain focus and engage more effectively as their visual senses are catered to. The main keyword, in this case, the term lipids, is kept at the center to portray its significance. Branching off from the center, its various uses can be seen displayed in a web-like manner to create a chain of connections.

Although these concept map templates tend to provide a very progressive overview of the biomolecules and their examples, it requires a tool that can help their users achieve this milestone. Wondershare EdrawMind features itself as a free and professional mind map-making tool that provides users with a direct source for studying and teaching complex concepts. The tool features a simple interface, which allows a simple build that essentially helps users create mind and concept maps of their choice.

The question comes across creating a concept map on EdrawMind. To answer this question, the need to go through the steps for creating a concept map is essential, which are provided as follows:

Download and install the latest version of EdrawMind on your computer. Launch once installed to proceed with the steps. As you find yourselves across the homepage of this tool, you can select any respective map from the templates as per your requirements. On choosing a template, it will open across the editor of EdrawMind.

Set up the main idea and main topics for your concept map according to the concept you are representing. To increase the number of topics, select the tab "Main Idea" and tap on "Enter" to add more topics.

To add a particular topic on top of another topic, you need to access that "Main Topic" and hit "Shift + Enter" to add a topic on its top. To add another topic below, simply use "Enter" while selecting the specific topic tab. For including a sub-topic within the map, use "Tab" on your keyboard to add one.

To change the branch of a specific topic, select one and proceed to the "Branch" section in the right-hand column. From the option of "Branches," choose any particular one of your choice to change it. You can also set its thickness across the available button in the same section.

For customizing the template of your map, deselect the map and proceed to the "Theme" section in the right-hand column. Select an appropriate theme and change the font style and color combination, if required. Add a watermark or image background as per your convenience. Following this, save your completed concept map on your computer.

This article has provided a detailed overview of the biomolecules examples and the 4 biomolecules that are known for holding the most critical processes of the living organisms. Following this, it has been realized that such complex methods can be understood easily using concept map templates, which is possible with the help of tools like EdrawMind.

EdrawMind provides the simplest of interfaces that can be used to create maps within a click. Users can make their maps unique and appreciable with its fully customized toolkit. You can easily set up an outline for displaying the structure of the content across the map with the help of appropriate nodes.