Biomolecules

The Building Blocks of Life

Biomolecules are Organic Molecules

1. Molecules containing Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.

2. They make up living organisms Examples: Methane (CH4) Glucose (C6H12O6) are all organic molecules

3. Carbon is the central atom and will bond covalently because of the 4 valence electrons (outermost shell) total of 6 electrons.

4. CHONP

Elements

Lipids - Primarily C, H and some O

Carbohydrates – C, H, O in a 1:2:1 ratio

Proteins – C, H, O, N

Nucleic Acids – C, H, O, N, P

Biomolecules

1. Basic Molecule: Proteins, Carbohydrates (sugars), Lipids (Fats), Nucleic Acid (DNA, RNA)

2. Macromolecule: Large molecules of the above that can be broken down.

• Ex. Starch into sugar / polysaccharide (starch) into monosaccharide (glucose)

Biomolecules with Examples

1. Monomers: The smaller molecules that are the building blocks of macro molecules

• Carbohydrate – sugar or, monosaccharide ex.’s - glucose, galactose, fructose

• Protein – amino acids ex.’s – meat, poultry, eggs, beans, soy, nuts, ENZYMES

• Lipid – glycerol & 3 fatty acids ex.’s – fats, oils, waxes, Cell Membranes

• Nucleic acids – nucleotides ex.’s –

DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid,

RNA = ribonucleic acid

Monomers / Polymers continued

2) Polymer: a chain of monomers• Carbohydrate – starch, glycogen,

cellulose/Polysaccharides• Lipids – none• Proteins – protein / polypeptide chain• Nucleic Acid – DNA, RNA

Carbohydrate• Simple vs. Complex

sugars

• Simple sugars:– Monosaccharide: – “One” “Sugar”– We will focus on

glucose: C6H1206

– The basic/main source of organism energy “quick energy”

Simple Sugars:Carbohydrates• Simple Sugars:

– Disaccharide– “Two” “Sugars”

– Examples:– Table sugar: sugars=

Glucose + Fructose

– Maltose=

Glucose + Glucose

- Lactose=

Glucose + Galactose

Complex Sugars:Polysaccharide

• “many sugars” Complex Sugar.

• Functions: Cells use them for energy and cell wall structure cellulose.

• They allow organisms to gradually use energy since it is stored in large chains.

Complex Sugars: Polysaccharide

–Starch : has thousands of glucoses (sugars) bonded together

………Thousands

Complex Sugars:Polysaccharides

• Cellulose: Makes up the walls of plant cells. Also made from glucose.

• Ruminants (cattle, sheep) can digest both cellulose and glucose.

• Humans can digest starch, but not cellulose

WHY??????????

Polysaccharides

• Glycogen: Animals store carbohydrates (glucose) in the form of glycogen; similar in form to starch. Why????

• This is why…– This is our reserve energy– Stored in liver and muscles– We do not want to lose our carbs all at once!!

Proteins

• Made of Amino Acid Chains

• Amino Acids are bonded through a peptide bond

Each ball isAn AminoAcid.Bonded by PeptideBonds

There are 20Amino Acids

There are 20 different occurring amino acids

Protein Function

1. Building material: muscle, bones, hair, fingernails

2. Enzymes: Control rate of chemical reaction in the cells and body (catalyst)

3. Immunity: make up antibodies

4. Other specific functions such as Hemoglobin: carry O2 in red blood cells

5. Regulate cell processes

Examples of Protein StructuresThe shape of protein is important to its function.

Enzyme: Quaternary Structure

Lipids (Fats)

• A common lipid is made of 3 fatty acids chains connected to a glycerol

Lipids (Fats)

• Glycerol: a type of alcohol. The back bone of Fats.

• 3 Fatty acid chains: Long chains of C & H– Saturated=as many C & H bonded as

possible, single bond, (Solid at Room Temp.)– Unsaturated= C and C bonds, must have at

least one double bond (usually Liquid at Room Temp.) Generally good for you: fish oil, avocado, olive oil, red meat, HDL vs LDL

Lipids (Fats) Functions

• The main energy storing molecule because of the high # of carbon to carbon bonds. Why are bonds important?

• …because they Store chemical energy• Lipids store more energy than any other

biomolecule– 9 Cal/gram = lipids– 4 Cal/gram = carbohydrates and proteins

Lipids (Fats) Functions

• Insulate

• Main molecule of the Cell membrane

• Make up some hormones (testosterone)

?Questions?

• What type of bond connects Amino Acids?• What are lipids composed of?• What are three of the macromolecules of

carbohydrates? What is the sugar subunit?

• What are the four types of elements that make up biomolecules?

Enzymes

All enzymes are proteins but…

Enzymes act as a catalyst by speeding up chemical reactions.

All enzymes are catalysts but…

Enzymes

Enzymes – ase

Specific and depend on temperature and pH to work efficiently…otherwise they will denature.

Enzymes are protein catalysts that carry out the chemical reactions of metabolism. All chemical reactions require activation energy to break chemical bonds and begin the reaction. Enzymes lower the barriers that normally prevent chemical reactions from occurring by decreasing the required activation energy.