MACROMOLECULES

CARBON Carbon is a component of almost all

biological macromolecules. Carbon has four valence electrons and

thus, four spaces to create covalent bonds8 (for the octet rule)-4 valence electrons=4

spaces for bonding. Organic compounds are compounds

containing carbon.

MACROMOLECULES Carbon atoms are joined together to

form macromolecules. Macromolecules: large organic

molecules formed by joining smaller organic molecules together

Also called polymers: molecules made from repeating units of monomers linked together. Monomers are small subunits of

macromolecules. Think of them as the building blocks of polymers.

CARBOHYDRATES Elements present: Carbon,

Hydrogen, Oxygen Ratio of elements: 1 oxygen and 2

hydrogen for ever 1 carbon. Used for: energy storage and

structural support Monomer: Monosaccharaides,

sugars 3-7 (CH2O) molecules in a chain.Ex. Glucose

CARBOHYDRATES CONT. Two monosaccharides joined together

form a disaccharide, such as sucrose. Longer carbohydrate molecules are

called polysaccharides, like glycogen.

LIPIDS A group of chemicals that includes fats,

oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids, and sterols (steroid + alcohols).

Elements present: Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and phosphorus

Monomer: no real monomer per se, as there are no repeating units. However lipids are made up of fatty acids and glycerols.

Purpose: Store large amounts of energy long term; form boundaries around cells

LIPID CHEMICAL STRUCTURE Fatty acids are non-polar

LIPIDS Saturated Fats

Lipids with only single bonds between carbon atoms. No more hydrogen can bond to the tail

Unsaturated FatsLipids with at least one carbon to carbon

double bond. Can accommodate more hydrogen.

PROTEINS Elements present: carbon, hydrogen,

oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur Uses: structural components of

animals, control molecules (enzymes), transport and messenger molecules

Monomer: amino acids

PROTEIN FUNCTION Function:

many, many functions hormones

signals from one body system to anotherinsulin

movementmuscle

immune systemprotect against germs

enzymeshelp chemical reactions

AMINO ACIDS Amino acids: protein monomer

Consists of: carboxyl group, amine/amino group, central carbon and a variable side chain (sometimes represented as R)

AMINO ACIDS Amino acids chain together into

polymers.Some are hydrophobicSome are hydrophilic

amino acid amino acid amino acid amino acid amino acid

EXAMPLES

SHAPE MATTERS Hydrophilic proteins are attracted to

water in the cell and fold out, hydrophobic molecules fold away from water

SHAPE CONT. As a result of this and also hydrogen

bonds between each other, proteins fold.

Shape of a protein determines its job

pepsinhemoglobin

NUCLEIC ACIDS Large complex molecules that contain

hereditary or inherited information. Elements present: Carbon, oxygen,

hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphorus Uses: Carry hereditary information;

used to make proteins Monomer: nucleotides

NUCLEIC ACIDS CONT. Nucleotides

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine in DNA In RNA, Thymine is replaced by Uracil

STRUCTURE Sugar-Phosphate back bone

DNA V. RNA DNA: double helix RNA: Single strand

DEHYDRATION SYNTHESIS How bonds are formed between

monomers. Results in two bonded monomers and a

molecule of water.

HYDROLYSIS The opposite of dehydration synthesis. Happens when a molecule of water

breaks the bond between two monomers.