Biology Fundamentals: Functions, Molecules, and Cell Types

Vital Functions of Living Beings

Vital functions refer to the specific actions that support life. There are three main functions:

1. Nutrition: Living beings obtain the matter and energy necessary to sustain life through this function.
2. Interaction: Living beings relate to their surrounding environment through this function.
3. Reproduction: Individual living beings are produced; this ensures the perpetuation of the species.

Biomolecules: The Building Blocks of Life

Biomolecules are the fundamental components of living organisms. They are mainly composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

Organic Biomolecules

Organic molecules are exclusive to living beings. There are four main types:

1. Carbohydrates (Saccharides)

   These are the most abundant organic compounds, also known as saccharides. Carbohydrates are made up of molecules called monosaccharides.

2. Lipids

   These form a diverse group and are all insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions. For example, phospholipids are fundamental in the structure of cell membranes.

3. Proteins

   These are macromolecules with very complex structures, made up of chains of smaller molecules called amino acids. Their most important functions include:

   • Giving structure to cells
   • Transporting substances around the body
   • Regulating chemical reactions
   • Protecting the body from bacteria and microorganisms

4. Nucleic Acids

   These are macromolecules formed by the union of smaller molecules known as nucleotides.

Inorganic Biomolecules

Inorganic biomolecules are compounds that are not exclusive to living beings.

1. Water

   Water is the most abundant substance in living beings.

2. Mineral Salts

   Mineral salts form the solid structures of living beings, such as skeletons.

Cells: Structural and Functional Units

Cells are the structural and functional units of all living beings. They have three basic structures:

1. Cell Membrane: This is the thin layer that separates the inside of a cell from its surrounding environment.
2. Cytoplasm: This is the gelatinous, semi-transparent fluid that fills most cells.
3. Nucleus: This carries the genetic information of living things, which is passed from one generation to the next. A genome is the total set of genes; in other words, the chemical units of hereditary information carried by the cell.

Types of Cells

Prokaryotic Cells

In prokaryotic cells, the genetic material is loose in the cytoplasm. Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic organisms.

Eukaryotic Cells

In eukaryotic cells, the genetic material is enclosed in a structure called the nucleus. Animals and plants are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms.

Cellular Nutrition Processes

Cellular nutrition consists of all the processes in which cells obtain matter and energy to perform vital functions. There are two types:

1. Catabolism: This is the degradation of complex organic substances into simpler substances.
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