biomolecule

Also known as biological molecule, natural compound, biogenic molecule, biogenic compound

thumb|200px|A representation of the structure of myoglobin, showing alpha helices, represented by ribbons. This protein was the first to have its structure solved by [[X-ray crystallography by Max Perutz and John Kendrew in 1958, for which they received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry]]

AI overview

A biomolecule is a molecule produced by living organisms, such as the protein myoglobin shown here. Understanding the structures of biomolecules is important enough that scientists have developed specialized techniques like X-ray crystallography to study them, earning major scientific recognition for breakthrough discoveries.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Myoglobin.png

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equivalent class: dbpedia.org/ontology/Biomolecule
Commons category: Biomolecules

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~14 min read

Article

13 sections

Contents

Types of biomolecules
Nucleosides and nucleotides
DNA and RNA structure
Saccharides
Lignin
Lipid
Amino acids
Protein structure
Apoenzymes
Isoenzymes
See also
References
External links

A biomolecule or biological molecule is loosely defined as a molecule produced by a living organism and essential to one or more typically biological processes. Biomolecules include large macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as small molecules such as vitamins and hormones. A general name for this class of material is biological materials. Biomolecules are an important element of living organisms. They are often endogenous, i.e. produced within the organism, but organisms usually also need exogenous biomolecules, for example certain nutrients, to survive.