Macromolecules
and Analytical Techniques
Living organisms are made up of limited
number of types of atom viz; carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur and
ions such as sodium, magnesium, chlorine, potassium, calcium and trace elements
such as iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc etc. These combine to form
various forms of molecules which are building blocks of life. Among which
polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids are some of commonly known
macromolecules. Many repetitive monomeric units of simpler organic molecules
associate to form macromolecules. Carbohydrates act as instant source of energy
for living organism whereas lipids act as stored energy. Proteins are involved
in functional and structural need of an organism and nucleic acids acts as
informational molecules concerned with carrying genetic information and
expression of that information. The properties, structure and functional
studies of these macromolecules can be revealed by the use of various
analytical tools and techniques. The analytical tools have become the basis for
many of the exclusive research and as well as in pharmaceutical industry.
Spectroscopy is a tool used for the assay, molecular weight determination and
structural arrangements of the basic elements of bio molecules. The
centrifugation and chromatographic techniques can be used for isolation,
separation and to study chemical and physical properties of bio molecules,
whereas electrophoretical techniques are extensively used for separation,
molecular characterization and studies onevolutionary modifications of the
macromolecules in biological systems or in living organisms.
Introduction
Living
organisms are made up of limited number of types of atom viz; carbon, nitrogen,
oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur and ions such as sodium, magnesium, chlorine,
potassium, calcium and trace elements such as iron manganese, cobalt, copper,
zinc etc. Among which Carbon is a basic element found in all living organisms
as well as in macromolecules. The importance of carbon atom in living system is
influenced by its ability of forming strong covalent bonds with other elements.
Sometimes they form chains and rings which forms skeletons of organic molecules
and hence of life itself. To these carbon skeletons, groups of other atoms are
added which are called functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl,
methyl, ethyl, phenyl, disulphide, phosphoryl, ether, thioester, amino group
etc) which confer specific chemical properties on the molecule. These combine
to form various forms of molecules which are building blocks of life. Many
repetitive monomeric units of simpler organic molecules associate to form
macromolecules. They are the major constituents of cells. Among which
polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids are some of commonly known
macromolecules. Their constituent monomers are monosaccharides, amino acids and
nucleotides respectively. Carbohydrates act as instant source of energy for
living organism whereas lipids act as stored energy. Proteins are involved in
functional and structural need of an organism and nucleic acids acts as
informational molecules concerned with carrying genetic information and
expression of that information The properties, structure and functional studies
of these macromolecules can be revealed by the use of various analytical tools
and techniques. The analytical tools have become the basis for many of the
modern biological research and as well as in chemicaland pharmaceutical
industry. Different types of Centrifugation, Spectroscopy, and Chromatography
and Electrophoretical techniques are being used for isolation, assay, molecular
weight determination, structural arrangements, for study of chemical and
physical properties, molecular characterization and studies on evolutionary
modifications of the macromolecules in biological systems or in living
organisms. In the present chapter a brief description of the macro molecules is
given. Even though variety of analytical techniques are available and employed
for various purpose, few important techniques along with their applications are
illustrated in this chapter.
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