Basic Molecules of Life

7/29/2019 Basic Molecules of Life

1/78

Molecules of Life

Organic Molecules

Biological Molecules


2/78

Diverse living organisms share common chemical features. Birds, beasts, plants, and soil

microorganisms share with humans the same basic structural units (cells) and the same kinds of

macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) made up of the same kinds of monomeric subunits (nucleotides,

amino acids). They utilize the same pathways for synthesis of cellular components, share the same

genetic code.


3/78


4/78


5/78


6/78


7/78

Organic Molecules

Why is this important?

Cells are mostly water and carbon-based

molecules Carbon has a valence of 4 so it will form a

tremendous variety of large, complex and

diverse molecules Large variety of molecules = diversity of life


8/78

Unity in Diversity

All life is composed of carbon compounds

(Unity)

Diversity of life is due to various ways

carbon can be assembled

Organic chemistry = study of the

compounds formed by carbon


9/78

Organic Chemistry

The four valence electrons in carbon

enable it to be bonded in four different

directions

Usually forms COVALENT bonds with

Hydrogen

Often oxygen, nitrogen Four most common elements are: CHON


10/78

Hydrocarbons


11/78

ISOMER


12/78

Functional groups

groups of atoms that haveproperties/role on the

molecule

OH hydroxide (polar) NH2 amino (polar)

COOH carboxyl (polar)

CH3 methyl (nonpolar)


13/78

Ethane

Ethanol

Functional group


14/78


15/78

Organic Chemistry

Biochemistry-chemistry of living things Functional groups change the chemical

properties/function of a molecule

The great diversity of life is caused by only

a few molecules with different

arrangements of functional groups


16/78


17/78

C, H, N, O, S & P make up >99% of cellular weight

Percent of Total CellWeight

Number of Types ofEach Molecule

Water 70 1

Inorganic ions 1 20

Sugars & precursors 3 200

Amino acids & precursors 0.4 100

Nucleotides & precursors 0.4 200Lipids & precursors 2 50

Other small molecules 0.2 ~200

Macromolecules (proteins, nucleicacids & polysachharides)

22 ~5000

Composition of Cells


18/78

Biochemistry

Four basic carbon molecules important to

all living things:

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Proteins

Nucleic acids


19/78

Biochemistry

The four basic molecules are long chainsof smaller molecules linked together

A house made up of various parts e.g.

Garage, Living room, Bed room, Kitchen,

etc.


20/78

Biochemistry

Smaller molecules are called

MONOMERS

Long chains are calledPOLYMERS Polymers are large molecules

MACROMOLECULESlarge polymer


21/78

What are the objectives:

For each of the 4 types of molecules:

1. The types and names of the monomers

2. The role of each molecule in life


22/78

How Are Organic Compounds

Formed? Monomers = smaller functional molecules

that can be linked together

Macromolecule= large molecule

Polymers= macromolecules formed bylinking monomers together


23/78

Polymerization

Many monomers are linked together

to form macromolecules

Dehydration synthesis


24/78

How Are Organic Compounds

Formed?


OH- combines with OH-

from adjacent monomer OH + OH = HOH + O

HOH = H2O

All four compoundsimportant to life are formed

by dehydration synthesis


25/78

Macromolecules dehydration synthesis


26/78

Monomers/Polymers

Hydrolysis - breaking down polymers into

monomers


27/78

Monomers Polymer Formed

Monosaccharides Di & Polysaccharides

Fatty acids Triglycerides Amino acids Proteins

Nucleotides Nucleic acids


28/78

4 Types of Macromolecules

CarbohydratesLipids

Proteins

Nucleic acids


29/78

Carbohydrates

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen C(n)H2O

C6H12O6 glucose

C6H12O6 - fructose

C5H10O5 - ribose

C12H22O11 sucrose


30/78

Carbohydrates

Sugars; three types:

Monosaccharidesone sugar

Disaccharidestwo sugar Oligosaccharidesfew sugar

Polysaccharidesmany sugar


31/78

Carbohydrates Monomers

Simple sugars Monosaccharides

one sweet

Glucose, fructose,ribose, deoxyribose,

galactose


32/78


33/78

Di-saccharides

Di = two Two monosaccharides joined together by

DEHYDRATION SYNTHESIS

Energy storage Glucose + glucose = maltose; germinating

seeds, malt in beer

Glucose + fructose = sucrose; table sugar Galactose + glucose = lactose; milk


34/78

Oligosaccharides

few Short chains of monosaccharides on the

outside of the cell membrane

Cell-to-cell communication, identification


35/78


36/78


37/78

Polysaccharides

Examples:

_______used to make cell walls of plants;indigestible without bacteria in gut; fiber

______ - cell walls of fungi; cells of arthropods______stored glucose in plants

_______stored glucose in animals


38/78


39/78

Types of Macromolecules

Carbohydrates

LipidsProteins

Nucleic acids


40/78


41/78


42/78

Triglycerides

Fats, Oils, Waxes Insoluble in water

nonpolar

Glycerol + three fattyacids


Lots of C-H bonds(energy)


43/78

Triglycerides

2 types of triglycerides: Saturated

Unsaturated

Saturated fatshave no doublebonds; are full(saturated) with

hydrogen Arteriosclerosis


44/78

Saturated fatty acids

Unsaturated fatty acidUnsaturated fatty acid

Saturated fatty acid


45/78

Types of Fats

Saturated

No double

bonds

Saturated w/ H

Solids @ (200)

Animal fats

Bacon grease,

lard, butter

Unsaturated

Double

bond(s)

Unsaturated

Liquids @

(200)

Plant fats (oil)

Corn, peanut,

olive oils


46/78

Waxes

Structural lipid consisting of a long fatty-

acid chain joined to a long alcohol chain

Waterproof

In plants, they form a protective coating on

the outer surfaces

In animals, form protective layers

Whats the purpose of?


47/78

Fats: Functions

Store energy

More energy in fats than in carbs; birds eat

sunflower seeds first

Padding(eye, other organs)

Insulation(keep you warmer; seals, whales)

Waterproofing - oils


48/78


49/78


50/78


51/78


52/78


53/78


54/78

Steroids

General structure


55/78

Steroids

Cholesterol basic molecule used in cellmembrane; also used to make other

steroids (estrogen and testosterone)


56/78

Lipids: Steroids

Sex hormones:

Testosterone; male

Estrogen; female


57/78

Lipids: Steroids

Anabolic steroids= artificially created

testosterone

Mimics male hormone

Increased muscle mass

Decreased sex drive, infertility

Heart, liver problems


58/78

Lipids - Steroids

Anabolic steroids synthetic variations oftestosterone

Builds muscle and bone mass during

puberty; maintains male characteristics Used in 1950s to treat anemia and muscle

diseases

Abused by athletes; linked to liver damage,cardiovascular, mood swings


59/78

Steroids

Insoluble in water (nonpolar) Very different from other lipids in structure

4 fused carbon rings with various

FUNCTIONAL GROUPS


60/78


61/78

Different amino acids caused by different side groups


62/78


63/78


64/78


65/78


66/78

Proteins - Functions1. Structure feathers, hair, muscle, nail, horn

2. Enzymes speed up reactions3. Hormones chemical messengers

4. Carriers hemoglobin carries oxygen tocells


67/78

Enzymes

Speed up chemical reactions withoutbeing changed

Reduce activation energy


68/78


69/78


70/78

Nucleic Acids

MonomersNUCLEOTIDES Nucleotides:

A simple sugar

A phosphate groupA NITROGENOUS BASE


71/78


72/78

Nucleic Acids

Large and complex organic molecules

Store and transfer important info in the cell

Info is important for the manufacturing of proteins

Two major types:

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Can also act as enzymes


73/78


74/78

H bonding

Adenine

alwaysbonds with

Thymine

Cytosine

always

bonds with

guanineA-T

C-G


75/78


76/78


77/78

A T T C C G C A T G G G T C T T T T

T A A G G C G T A C C C A G A A A A


78/78

TACCATACTTTCGGCTACTTTTGGG

DNA sequence = genetic code

If A-T and C-G, what is the

complimentary strand?

TACCATACTATAGGCTACTATTGGG

ATGGTATGATATCCGATGATAACCC

Documents

Basic Molecules of Life