Complete Summary and Solutions for Biomolecules – NCERT Class XI Biotechnology, Chapter 3 – Types, Structure, Functions, Exercises

Comprehensive summary and explanation of Chapter 3 'Biomolecules' from the NCERT Class XI Biotechnology textbook, covering carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, their structure, classification, and answers to all textbook exercises and questions.

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Biomolecules: Class 11 NCERT Chapter 3 - Ultimate Study Guide, Notes, Questions, Quiz 2025

Biomolecules

Chapter 3: Biotechnology - Ultimate Study Guide | NCERT Class 11 Notes, Questions, Examples & Quiz 2025

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Biomolecules Class 11 NCERT

Overview & Key Concepts

  • Chapter Goal: Explore structure and functions of major biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids as building blocks of cells and their roles in processes. Exam Focus: Classification, structures (e.g., glycosidic bonds, peptide bonds), properties (e.g., chirality, denaturation), enzymes. 2025 Updates: Emphasis on biomolecular interactions in health/disease. Fun Fact: DNA's double helix stores life's blueprint. Core Idea: Biomolecules as life's macromolecules. Real-World: Mutations in proteins cause diseases like sickle cell anemia. Ties: Links to cell organelles (Ch2); leads to enzymes (Ch4). Expanded: All subtopics 3.1-3.5 covered point-wise with diagram descriptions for visual learning; includes metabolic roles, conjugates.
  • Wider Scope: From simple monomers to complex polymers; roles in energy, structure, information, catalysis.
  • Expanded Content: Detailed on carbohydrates (classification, structures, polysaccharides like starch/cellulose), lipids (fatty acids, types, functions), amino acids (structure, classification), proteins (levels of structure, folding), nucleic acids (DNA/RNA, bases, replication basics).

3.1 Carbohydrates

  • Definition & Abundance: Aldehyde/ketone derivatives of polyhydric alcohols; most abundant biomolecules; primary energy source, stores, cell wall components, metabolic intermediates.
  • Roles: Energy (glucose), storage (starch/glycogen), structure (cellulose/chitin), informational (glycoproteins for cell recognition).
  • (A) Classification: Monosaccharides (simple, e.g., glucose), oligosaccharides (2-10 units, e.g., sucrose), polysaccharides (>10 units, e.g., starch).
  • Monosaccharides: Cn(H2O)n; trioses (C3, glyceraldehyde), tetroses (C4, erythrose), pentoses (C5, ribose), hexoses (C6, glucose); aldoses (aldehyde) vs. ketoses (ketone) - see Table 3.1.
  • Oligosaccharides: Glycosidic bonds join units; disaccharides like maltose (glucose-glucose α1→4), lactose (galactose-glucose β1→4), sucrose (glucose-fructose α1→β2).
  • Polysaccharides: Homo (one type, e.g., starch) vs. hetero (mixed, e.g., peptidoglycan); storage (starch, glycogen) vs. structural (cellulose, chitin); glycoconjugates: glycoproteins (protein dominant), proteoglycans (carb dominant), glycolipids (lipid-carb).
  • (B) Structure & Properties: Open-chain vs. cyclic (hemiacetal/ketal formation); chiral carbons cause optical activity (D/L based on C5 OH in hexoses); anomers (α/β at C1, mutarotation); epimers (differ at one C, e.g., glucose-mannose at C2).
Fig. 3.1: Structure of Some Monosaccharides (Description)

Open-chain forms: Glyceraldehyde (triose aldose), erythrose (tetrose aldose), ribose (pentose aldose), xylose (pentose aldose), glucose/galactose (hexose aldoses), fructose (hexose ketose); shows CHO/CH2OH ends, OH positions.

Fig. 3.2: Structure of Glucose (a) Straight Chain (b) Cyclic Form (Description)

(a) Linear: C1 aldehyde, C2-5 chiral with OH, C6 CH2OH. (b) Pyranose ring: C1-C5 cycle via O, α/β OH at C1; numbered carbons.

Fig. 3.3: L and D Forms of Glucose (Description)

D-Glucose: OH on C5 right; L-Glucose: left; Fischer projection with CHO top, CH2OH bottom.

Fig. 3.4: Two Cyclic Forms of Glucose (Description)

α-D-glucopyranose: OH below ring at C1; β-D-glucopyranose: above; shows mutarotation arrow to open chain.

Fig. 3.5: Epimers of Glucose (Description)

α-D-galactose (epimer at C4), α-D-glucose, α-D-mannose (epimer at C2); Haworth projections.

Fig. 3.6: Formation of Maltose (Description)

Two α-D-glucose → maltose via α1→4 glycosidic bond; condensation releases H2O.

Fig. 3.7: Structure of Lactose (Description)

β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-glucopyranose; β1→4 glycosidic bond highlighted.

  • Examples of Polysaccharides: Starch (amylose linear α1→4, amylopectin branched α1→6 every 24-30 units; blue/reddish iodine); glycogen (branched animal storage, 1-10% dry wt in muscle/liver); cellulose (β1→4 linear, 15,000 units, indigestible by humans); chitin (β1→4 N-acetylglucosamine, exoskeleton); peptidoglycan (NAM-NAG alternating, peptide cross-links in bacteria).
Fig. 3.8: Structure of Amylose (Description)

Linear chain of α-D-glucose with α1→4 bonds; reducing/non-reducing ends.

Fig. 3.9: Structure of Amylopectin (Description)

Branched: α1→4 main, α1→6 branches; shows repeating units.

Fig. 3.10: Structure of Cellulose (Description)

Linear β-D-glucose β1→4 bonds; reducing/non-reducing ends; H-bonds between chains.

Table 3.1: Classification of Monosaccharides (Description)

Trioses: Glyceraldehyde (aldose), dihydroxyacetone (ketose); tetroses: Erythrose/erythrulose; pentoses: Ribose/ribulose; hexoses: Glucose/fructose.

Table 3.2: Common Homopolysaccharides (Description)

Starch (α-D-glucose, plant energy); glycogen (α-D-glucose, animal storage); cellulose (β-D-glucose, plant wall); chitin (β-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, exoskeleton); inulin (β-D-fructose, plant storage); pectin (α-D-galacturonic acid, plant wall); dextran (α-D-glucose, bacterial adhesive); xylan (β-D-xylose, plant support).

3.2 Fatty Acids and Lipids

  • Definition: Hydrophobic/ amphipathic; fatty acids: long hydrocarbon chains with COOH; saturated (no double bonds, e.g., palmitic C16:0) vs. unsaturated (double bonds, e.g., oleic C18:1).
  • Classification: Simple (fats/oils: glycerol + 3 FA), compound (phospholipids, glycolipids), derived (steroids like cholesterol).
  • Functions: Energy reserve (9 kcal/g), membrane components (phospholipids bilayer), hormones (steroids), insulation/cushioning.
  • Properties: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents; micelle formation; essential FA (e.g., linoleic) for health.
  • Phospholipids: Glycerol + 2 FA + phosphate (e.g., lecithin); amphipathic for membranes.
  • Steroids: Four fused rings; cholesterol stabilizes membranes, precursor for bile acids/hormones.
Fig. 3.11: Structure of a Fatty Acid (Description)

CH3-(CH2)n-COOH; saturated chain shown.

Fig. 3.12: Triglyceride Formation (Description)

Glycerol + 3 FA → triacylglycerol via ester bonds; H2O released.

3.3 Amino Acids

  • Structure: α-amino acids: H2N-CH(R)-COOH; 20 standard; R side chain determines properties (non-polar, polar, acidic, basic).
  • Classification: Non-essential (body synthesizes, e.g., alanine), essential (dietary, e.g., lysine); based on R: hydrophobic (valine), hydrophilic (serine).
  • Properties: Zwitterion at pI; peptide bond formation (condensation); chiral (L-form in proteins).
  • Functions: Protein building, neurotransmitters (e.g., glycine), precursors (e.g., tyrosine for dopamine).
Table 3.3: Classification of Amino Acids (Description)

Non-polar: Glycine, alanine; polar: Serine, threonine; acidic: Aspartic, glutamic; basic: Lysine, arginine; aromatic: Phenylalanine, tyrosine.

Fig. 3.13: General Structure of Amino Acid (Description)

Central C with NH2, COOH, H, R; zwitterion form shown.

3.4 Protein Structure

  • Primary: Linear peptide chain; sequence determines function (e.g., sickle cell mutation).
  • Secondary: α-helix (H-bonds every 3.6 residues), β-pleated sheet (parallel/antiparallel).
  • Tertiary: 3D folding via H-bonds, ionic, hydrophobic, disulfide bridges; globular/fibrous.
  • Quaternary: Multi-subunit (e.g., hemoglobin 4 chains).
  • Denaturation: Loss of structure by heat/pH (reversible/irreversible).
  • Functions: Enzymes (catalase), transport (hemoglobin), structure (collagen), defense (antibodies).
Fig. 3.14: Levels of Protein Structure (Description)

Primary: Sequence; secondary: Helix/sheet; tertiary: Fold; quaternary: Assembly.

3.5 Nucleic Acids

  • Components: Nucleotides: Base (purine/pyrimidine), sugar (ribose/DNA deoxyribose), phosphate.
  • DNA: Double helix (A-T, G-C H-bonds), antiparallel, supercoiling; genetic material.
  • RNA: Single strand, types: mRNA (messenger), tRNA (transfer), rRNA (ribosomal); U instead of T.
  • Functions: Information storage (DNA), expression (RNA), protein synthesis.
  • Properties: Phosphodiester bonds; Chargaff's rules (A=T, G=C).
Fig. 3.15: DNA Double Helix (Description)

Watson-Crick model: Twisted ladder, base pairs inside, sugar-phosphate backbone.

Fig. 3.16: Nucleotide Structure (Description)

Adenine-ribose-phosphate; glycosidic bond to base.

Summary

  • Biomolecules: Carbs (energy/structure), lipids (membranes/energy), proteins (catalysis/structure), nucleic acids (information).
  • Key: Monomers → polymers via bonds; chirality/optical activity; conjugates for diversity.

Why This Guide Stands Out

Biomolecule-focused: Detailed classifications, bond formations, diagram desc. Free 2025 with point-wise notes, examples for easy visualization; includes conjugates, metabolic links.

Key Themes & Tips

  • Aspects: Structure-function, classification, bonds (glycosidic/peptide/phosphodiester).
  • Tip: Mnemonics for levels (Primary-Sequence, Secondary-Helix, Tertiary-Fold, Quaternary-Team - PSHFT); draw rings for carbs.

Exam Case Studies

Diabetes: Insulin protein defect. Scurvy: Collagen (vitamin C for hydroxylation). DNA fingerprinting: Base sequence uniqueness.

Project & Group Ideas

  • Model DNA helix with pipe cleaners.
  • Debate: Essential vs. non-essential amino acids in diet.
  • Research: Lipid rafts in signaling.