The Chemistry of Life

Biomolecules “Carbon Compounds”

You have probably learned about levels of organization within living things in the past…

- Cells

- Tissues

- Organs

- Organ Systems

- Organism

                                                                            

But we are going smaller!

Just what size of things are we talking about here?

When you see the

Copy the notes!

All living organisms require the same basic “building blocks” to survive and function.

These large compounds give us energy, determine our characteristics, and form the physical structures that create us.

Macromolecules (Large molecule)

Monomers (small molecules) Polymers (large molecules made of

many single monomers)

There are four types of macromolecules found in living organisms.

1. Carbohydrates2. Lipids3. Proteins4. Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates – chains of sugarsMonosaccharaides (simple sugars)

i.e. C6H12O6 - glucose

Disaccharaides (double ring sugars) i.e. sucrose – table sugar

Polysaccharides (complex sugars) starch, cellulose, and glycogen

Carbohydrate Functions

Quick energy foods. Storage:Plants starch Animals glycogen

Lipids

Lipid Functions

1. Important in cell membrane2. High energy food3. Protects vital organs4. Insulates the body5. Stores food (energy)for later use6. Made of C, H, O

Structure of Lipids

Structure of Lipids

Proteins

Protein Function

Most Abundant: 50% of Dry WtBuild Internal StructuresMovement: Makes up muscle tissue Transport: Carries oxygen in an organismImmunity: Helps fight off foreign invaders Enzymes: Speed up chemical reactions

Protein (Structure)

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Two types of nucleic acidsDNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

Contain genetic code/information that determines our characteristics

Nucleic AcidsMonomer is called a

nucleotide.Made from a sugar

ring, phosphate group and a nitrogen base.

Basic Structure

Building Blocks

Function

Examples

Carbohydrate

•Short term energy source•Used within 24 hrs.

•Breads•Cereals•Fruit•Starch•Pasta

Monomer - Monosaccharides (ring)

Polymer - Polysaccharides (chain)

Basic Structure

Building Blocks

Function

Examples

Lipids

•Forms structure of cell membrane•High energy food•Long term energy storage•Insulates body

•Fat•Oils•Butter

Monomer – Glycerol (hydrophilic head) & Fatty Acids (hydrophobic tails)

Polymer – “Octopus” appearance

Basic Structure

Building Blocks

Function

Examples

Proteins

•Forms structure of cells•Fights infection•Speed up chemical reactions (enzymes)•Contracts muscles

Foods•Meat•Beans•Eggs

Monomer – Amino Acids (beads)

Polymer – Polypeptide (giant tangled chain)

Internal•Hair•Skin•Muscle•Enzymes

Basic Structure

Building Blocks

Function

Examples

Nucleic Acids

•Stores genetic code•Pass genetic information to offspring•Produce proteins

•DNA – Genetic coding•RNA – Protein coding

Monomer – Nucleotides

Polymer – Double Helix (DNA) / Single strand (RNA)

Crash Course - Biological Molecules