All biomolecules are primarily made up of the following elements:
-
Carbon (C) - The backbone of all organic molecules, carbon forms the structure of biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
-
Hydrogen (H) - Present in organic compounds and plays a crucial role in forming bonds with carbon and other elements.
-
Oxygen (O) - Commonly found in carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids, and proteins; it is involved in energy production and metabolism.
-
Nitrogen (N) - A key component of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and nucleotides (the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA).
-
Phosphorus (P) - Important for the formation of DNA, RNA, and ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell.
-
Sulfur (S) - Found in some amino acids (such as cysteine and methionine) and plays a role in protein structure and function.
These elements combine in various ways to form the complex molecules that are essential for life. Other elements, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and trace minerals, can also be important but are not considered the primary building blocks of biomolecules.