Short Answer
Biomolecules are essential for life because they perform all the basic activities needed for survival. They help in building body structures, providing energy, controlling chemical reactions, and carrying genetic information. Every living cell depends on biomolecules to stay alive and function properly.
Biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids work together to maintain growth, repair, and balance in the body. Without biomolecules, important life processes like respiration, digestion, growth, and reproduction cannot occur.
Detailed Explanation :
Importance of Biomolecules in Life
- Basic building blocks of life
- Biomolecules form the structure of cells and tissues.
- Cell membranes, cytoplasm, and nucleus are made of biomolecules.
- Proteins and lipids help maintain the shape and strength of cells.
- Without biomolecules, cells cannot exist.
- Source of energy
- Biomolecules supply energy required for life activities.
- Carbohydrates provide quick energy to cells.
- Lipids store energy for long-term use.
- Energy from biomolecules is needed for movement, growth, and repair.
- Support growth and development
- Proteins are necessary for growth of body tissues.
- New cells are formed using biomolecules.
- During childhood and adolescence, biomolecules help in body development.
- They also help in healing wounds and repairing damaged tissues.
- Control of chemical reactions
- Enzymes are protein biomolecules.
- Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in the body.
- Digestion, respiration, and metabolism depend on enzymes.
- Without enzymes, life reactions would be too slow to sustain life.
- Regulation of body functions
- Hormones are made of proteins or lipids.
- Hormones control growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
- Insulin controls blood sugar level.
- Proper balance of biomolecules maintains body stability.
- Storage and transfer of genetic information
- Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are biomolecules.
- DNA stores hereditary information.
- RNA helps in protein synthesis.
- Biomolecules ensure transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
- Protection and insulation
- Lipids protect internal organs.
- Fats act as cushions for organs like heart and kidneys.
- Lipids also help maintain body temperature.
- Some proteins act as antibodies to fight diseases.
- Role in metabolism
- Biomolecules take part in metabolism.
- Metabolism includes all chemical reactions in the body.
- Anabolism builds complex molecules.
- Catabolism breaks down molecules to release energy.
- Biomolecules and nutrition
- Food provides essential biomolecules.
- Balanced diet contains all major biomolecules.
- Lack of proteins causes weakness.
- Lack of carbohydrates causes low energy.
- Deficiency of biomolecules leads to diseases.
- Role in reproduction
- Biomolecules help in formation of reproductive cells.
- DNA ensures correct genetic information.
- Proteins help in cell division.
- Lipids form membranes of new cells.
- Maintenance of life processes
- Respiration needs enzymes and glucose.
- Digestion breaks food into biomolecules.
- Circulation transports biomolecules.
- Excretion removes waste formed from biomolecule breakdown.
Conclusion
Biomolecules are essential for life because they support every activity of living organisms. They build cells, provide energy, control reactions, and store genetic information. Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids work together to maintain growth, repair, and balance in the body. Without biomolecules, life processes cannot continue, and living organisms cannot survive.