Biochemistry 4 Macromolecules of Life

Definitions

Monomer – Greek meaning “1 part”. Building block/subunit of a polymer

Polymer – A chemical compound made up of many monomers

Macromolecule – A long chain of molecules with similar repeating patterns within subunits

Proteins

Proteins

Macromolecule containing C, N, O & H

Used for growth & repair

A polymer of amino acids

Enzymes

Enzymes - Proteins that act as a biological catalyst

Speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

Facilitates the bond between an amino acids in a protein

Amino Acids – Building Blocks of Proteins

Amino Acids will always have a carboxylic acid and an amine functional group.

4 Levels of Protein Structure

Primary Structure – the order of amino acids

Secondary Structure – Alpha Helix, Beta Sheets

Tertiary Structure – 3-dimensional structure

Quaternary Structure – 2 or more peptide chains

Carbohydrates

CarbohydratesCompound made up of C, O & HMajor source of energy in the human bodyIncludes simple sugars & complex starches

Carbohydrate Molecules

Monosaccharide – Single Sugar Molecule

Monosaccharide – Single Sugar MoleculeDisaccharide – 2 Sugar Molecules linked

together

Carbohydrate Molecules

Carbohydrate MoleculesMonosaccharide – Single Sugar MoleculeDisaccharide – 2 Sugar Molecules linked

togetherPolysaccharides – Many sugars linked

(polymer)Starch – glucose converted by plants for energyGlycogen – converted glucose stored by

humans for energyCellulose – converted glucose utilized by plants

to form structural

Nucleic Acids

DNA – double stranded nucleic acid containing the sugar dexoyribose

RNA – single stranded nucleic acid containing the sugar ribose

Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides – repeating monomers of nucleic acids that create DNA & RNA

Consist of a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base

Sugars in nucleic acids are ribose or deoxyribose – pentose rings

Nucleotide Bases

2 types of nucleotide basesPyrimidinesPurines

Pyrimidines – Single ring structure

Purines – Double ring structure

DNA & RNA Bonding

DNAG & C form 3 Hydrogen bondsT & A Form 2 Hydrogen bonds

RNAG & C form 3 Hydrogen bondsU & A Form 2 Hydrogen bonds

Lipids

LipidsMacromolecules made primarily of C & HOilsFatsWaxes

Lipids

Water insolubleFats

solid at room temperaturesaturated fatty acid molecules

Oilsliquid at room temperatureunsaturated fatty acid molecules

Vitamins A, D, E, K

Fat soluble substances

Dissolved & stored in fatty tissue

Vitamin A

Vitamin Avision, cell differentiation, bone growth, immune

system, white blood cells, membranes, liningswhole eggs, milk, liverfat-free milk breakfast cereals - fortifieddarkly colored fruits and vegetables, margarine,

carrots, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, and spinach

Vitamin A from animals is better absorbed than from plants

Vitamin D

Vitamin DBlood calcium & phosphorus levels, cell

differentiation, bone mineralization, cell growthSunshine, fortified milk, liver, fish, eggs

Vitamin E

Vitamin EPrevents free radicals, immune system, DNA

repair, healing woundsVegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables,

and fortified cereals

Vitamin K

Vitamin KBlood clotting, synthesizing the liver protein,

bone formation and repair, converting glucose to glycogen, may prevent & help slow osteoporosis

leafy vegetables, cheese and liver, asparagus, coffee, bacon and green tea