Life’s Important Biological Life’s Important Biological MoleculesMolecules

The molecules The molecules that make up that make up

your cellsyour cells

To Review -To Review -Life-supporting Properties of Life-supporting Properties of

WaterWater Cooling AgentCooling Agent

– evaporationevaporation Surface Tension Surface Tension

– Cohesion, adhesionCohesion, adhesion Universal SolventUniversal Solvent

– Allows for dissolving Allows for dissolving and transporting of and transporting of materialsmaterials

More dense than iceMore dense than ice– Ice causes cells to Ice causes cells to

burstburst

caused by hydrogen bonds between water molecules

What are life’s 4 major What are life’s 4 major organic molecules?organic molecules?

-Organic means it has carbon in it!-Organic means it has carbon in it!

Carbohydrates (sugars & starches)Carbohydrates (sugars & starches)

Lipids (fats, oils, & waxes)Lipids (fats, oils, & waxes)

Proteins (enzymes & connective Proteins (enzymes & connective tissue)tissue)

Nucleic Acids (DNA & RNA)Nucleic Acids (DNA & RNA)

Monomers and PolymersMonomers and Polymers

Monomers – single repeating subunits (like lego’s or the cars of a train)

Polymers – long chains of repeating monomers (the whole train)

How do monomers combine How do monomers combine to make polymers?to make polymers?

As 2 monomers combine:As 2 monomers combine:– An -H is taken off of one An -H is taken off of one

monomermonomer– An –OH is taken off of the An –OH is taken off of the

other monomerother monomer The 2 monomers The 2 monomers

combine to begin making combine to begin making a chain (polymer)a chain (polymer)

The –H and –OH combine The –H and –OH combine to make HOH or Hto make HOH or H22OO

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

Carbohydrates – made from subunits Carbohydrates – made from subunits (monomers) called (monomers) called monosaccharidesmonosaccharides– 2 monosaccharides combine to make a 2 monosaccharides combine to make a

disaccharidedisaccharide– Notice thatNotice that

water iswater isalso formed.also formed.

A carbohydrate is a molecule that always has a 1:2:1 ratio of Carbons to Hydrogens to Oxygens

The structure of carbohydrates

CnH2nOn

Examples:

glucose and fructose are both:

C6H12O6

•Complex carbs - called starches • Polysaccharides - many

monosaccharide subunits. (ie. cellulose, glycogen)

The structure of carbohydrates

•Simple carbs – called sugars• monosaccharide (mah noh SA

kuh ride). (ie. glucose, fructose)• Disaccharide – sucrose, lactose

Function of CarbsFunction of Carbs

Carbohydrates are used by cells Carbohydrates are used by cells for energyfor energy– Sugars – give immediate Sugars – give immediate

energy energy

– Starches – give energy inStarches – give energy in 12-24 hours 12-24 hours

Fatty AcidsFatty Acids – subunits of – subunits of lipidslipids

Fatty acids – long chains of carbon and hydrogen

LipidsLipids

LipidsLipids are used by are used by cells for long-term cells for long-term energy energy storagestorage (not use)(not use)– Also used for:Also used for:

Making cell membranesMaking cell membranes Insulation of organsInsulation of organs

LipidsLipids

They do not They do not dissolve in dissolve in water water because they because they are nonpolar are nonpolar (not attracted (not attracted to water to water molecules).molecules).

ProteinsProteins

Proteins – long chains of Proteins – long chains of monomers (subunits) called monomers (subunits) called Amino AcidsAmino Acids– There are 20 There are 20

different different amino acids amino acids found in found in nature.nature.

Function of ProteinsFunction of Proteins Proteins are used by the body to make most connective tissue:Proteins are used by the body to make most connective tissue:

– Bones, muscle, ligaments, tendons, skin, hair, nailsBones, muscle, ligaments, tendons, skin, hair, nails Proteins also serve to Proteins also serve to

regulate all reactions regulate all reactions in the bodyin the body– Enzymes & hormonesEnzymes & hormones

Enzymes & HormonesEnzymes & Hormones

Enzyme - a protein that speeds up Enzyme - a protein that speeds up chemical reactionschemical reactions

Hormone – a protein that is made Hormone – a protein that is made in one place of the body and directs in one place of the body and directs an action in another placean action in another place

Nucleic AcidsNucleic Acids

stores genetic stores genetic information in information in the form of a the form of a code.code.

Nucleic acids are polymers made Nucleic acids are polymers made of smaller subunits calledof smaller subunits called nucleotidesnucleotides..

DNA & RNADNA & RNA

DNA -deoxyribonucleic acid DNA -deoxyribonucleic acid is a is a nucleic acidnucleic acid

The information coded in The information coded in DNADNA contains contains instructions used to make proteins for instructions used to make proteins for the organism.the organism.

Another important nucleic acid is Another important nucleic acid is RNARNA, , which stands for which stands for ribonucleic acidribonucleic acid..

Nucleotides

•Made of 3 parts:

•Sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogen base