Essential Biological Functions and Biomolecules

1. Vital Functions of Living Beings

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

• Nutrition function: Living beings obtain the matter and energy necessary to sustain life through this process.
• Interaction function: Living beings relate to their surrounding environment.
• Reproduction function: Individual living beings are produced, which ensures the perpetuation of species.

2. Biomolecules: The Building Blocks of Life

Biomolecules are the building blocks of life and perform important functions in living organisms. Organic biomolecules are exclusive to living beings and consist of three main types:

Carbohydrates

These are the most abundant organic compounds, also known as saccharides. Carbohydrates are made up of molecules called monosaccharides (e.g., glucose and fructose).

Lipids

This is a huge group of naturally occurring organic compounds that are insoluble in water. They perform many different functions (e.g., fats and oils). Phospholipids are fundamental in the structure of cell membranes.

Proteins

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

• Structural support: e.g., collagen in the skin.
• Transport: e.g., haemoglobin transporting substances.
• Regulation: e.g., enzymes regulating chemical reactions.
• Protection: e.g., antibodies protecting the body from bacteria and microorganisms.

Nucleic Acids

These macromolecules are formed by the union of smaller molecules known as nucleotides. They are found in the genetic material of cells and include:

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): Stores all information necessary for the functioning and development of living beings.
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA): Participates in the synthesis of proteins.

3. Nutrition Processes

Nutrition is a combination of processes through which living things take in food and convert it into their own matter and energy. This is classified as:

Autotrophs

Living things that make their own organic matter from inorganic matter using a source of energy:

• Photoautotrophs: Use energy from light to synthesize food (e.g., green plants use sunlight).
• Chemoautotrophs: Use energy from chemical reactions to synthesize food (e.g., sulphur bacteria and iron bacteria).