HIGH SCHOOL
Module 33
Biomolecules: Proteins and Nucleic acid
1 Hour
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
Gain Attention
Inform Learners of objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
Cognitive:
1. determine the structures and functions of biomolecules
such as proteins and nucleic acids
Affective:
2. Recognize the importance of biomolecules in our daily lives
Psychomotor:
3. inspect the structure of proteins and nucleic acids and identify elements that
make up these biomolecules
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning
Directions: Identify the terms described below and write your answers in your
notebook.
__________1. The sequence of amino acid in a protein.
__________2. Macromolecules essential in tissue structure and are the building blocks of
tissues
and organs.
__________3. Building blocks of nucleic acids.
__________4. Nucleic acids found in chromosomes.
__________5. The sugar in DNA.
Present the content and provide learning
guidance
PROTEINS
Aside from lipids and carbohydrates, what else is our body made of? We are
made up of muscles, skin, hair, nails, and others. Much of these are proteins. In fact,
if you remove water from the body, you’ll find that more than fifty percent of what is
left is made of proteins. Even our enzymes and antibodies are made of proteins.
Proteins are macromolecules essential in tissue structure. They are the
building blocks of tissues and organs because they can restore damaged tissues.
Proteins are also made of the elements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The
simplest protein is the amino acid, a carboxylic acid that has an amino group NH2 in
its structure adjacent to the carboxylic acid group.
There are about twenty common amino acids found in the body. Each has a
different side chain. Out of the twenty, about ten are essential. Essential amino acids
are those that cannot be sufficiently synthesized by the body, therefore should be
taken as part of our diet.
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
As bonding between the side chains of a polypeptide occurs, the molecule
bends and folds. In the process, it forms the tertiary structure of a protein.
If there is interaction between two or more polypeptide chains, it forms the
quaternary structure of a protein. Not all proteins have quaternary structures.
If the secondary or tertiary structure of a protein is changed, the protein is
said to be denatured. Denaturation leads to changes in the properties of the protein.
Cooking egg white and meat are examples of protein denaturation.
Uses of Proteins
Aside from proteins being needed for repairing and building up cells of the
body, protein also provides heat and energy. Monosodium glutamate (vetsin) is used
widely as a condiment to bring out the flavor in foods. Tryptophan is synthesized
commercially to treat cases of serious malnutrition. Methionine is added to enrich
food stuffs; small amounts fed to
animals were found to greatly increase
their growth. Lysine is produced for its
use as a food supplement.
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Nucleic acids consist of building
blocks called nucleotides. A nucleotide
is a molecule composed of a purine or
pyrimidine base bonded to a sugar
molecule which in turn is bonded to a
molecule of phosphoric acid. The
nucleotides bond to form nucleic acids.
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is the nucleic acid found in chromosomes. The
genes which transmit the traits or characteristics from parent to offspring are
portions of the DNA molecule. Each DNA molecule consists of one of the nitrogen
bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine.
We can represent the nucleotide by a diagrammatic representation as shown
in the figure above (A portion of the DNA molecule). Note that the nucleotides are
linked through phosphate sugar linkages to form a chain of nucleotides. An adenine
of one chain always bonds with a thymine of the other chain; a guanine of one chain
bonds with a cytosine of the other chain. The chains in the living cells are coiled in
the form of a helix.
DNA has a property of being able to duplicate itself. If the chemical bonds
break down between poised bases, the two chains separate. However, identical
nucleotide units are rebuilt to form the DNA molecule. In this manner, two DNA
molecules are formed which are exact replicas of the original DNA. This replication
process can be repeated for each DNA molecule. It is this property of the
chromosomes that makes the growth of living things possible.
Ribonucleic Acid
Ribonucleic acids (RNA) are another important type of nucleic acids. There
are several types of RNA, each with a different role in protein synthesis. Some act as
messengers carrying instructions from DNA genes to the ribosomes (the site of
protein synthesis in the cell). Others are structural components of the ribosomes.
Still others transport amino acids to those ribosomes for assembly into proteins.
All types of RNA differ from DNA in three ways:
a. The sugar in RNA is ribose while that in DNA is deoxyribose.
b. Instead of thymine (one of the nitrogenous bases of DNA) RNA
contains a very similar base called uracil.
c. RNA is ordinarily single-stranded while DNA is usually double-stranded.
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
Elicit Performance
Synthesis
Here are the module’s key ideas:
● Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is the nucleic acid found in chromosomes.
● All types of RNA differ from DNA in three ways:
a. The sugar in RNA is ribose while that in DNA is deoxyribose.
b. Instead of thymine (one of the nitrogenous bases of DNA) RNA
contains a very similar base called uracil.
c. RNA is ordinarily single-stranded while DNA is usually double-stranded.
● Nucleic acids consist of building blocks called nucleotides.
● Aside from proteins being needed for repairing and building up cells of the body,
protein also provides heat and energy.
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
Assess performance
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in your
notebook.
1. The sequence in which amino acids are joined together in a protein is called the
protein’s structure.
a. primary b. secondary c. tertiary d. quaternary
2. δ-helix and β-pleated sheets are examples of structures of protein.
a. primary b. secondary c. tertiary d. quaternary
3. Which of the following is an essential amino acid?
a. glutamine b. methionine c. glycine d. serine
4. The simplest or the building block of protein is called _______.
a. stearic acid b. butyric acid c. fatty acid d. amino acid
5. An amino acid which is synthesized commercially to treat cases of serious
malnutrition.
a. methionine b. tryptophan c. alanine d. phenylalanine
Bibliography
Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education. Project EASE Integrated
Science 1, Module 12. Inside the Earth.
Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education (2013). Science - Grade 8
Learner’s Module. Vibal Publishing House, Inc.
Punongbayan, R. et al. (1998). The Philippine Archipelago Volume 1. Tarbuck, E.J. et
al. (2009). Earth Science 12th ed.
Department of Education Learners Manual Science for Grade 10. First Edition. 2015.
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids
HIGH SCHOOL
Module 34
Biomolecules: Proteins & Nucleic acids