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Compounds of life

Yesterday…

• Atoms, elements, and molecules

Today…

We will discuss the four major types of molecules necessary for

life. They are very large molecules called…

Macromolecules!!!

4 macromolecules

• These 4 compounds are found in all cells and are necessary for life

4 macromolecules are found in our food

–Carbohydrates–Lipids (also

called fats)–Proteins–Nucleic acids

• Each of these has different functions in the body

Macromolecules are Polymers

Large compounds are formed by joining small individual compounds together

Monomers: the individual compounds

Polymers: many monomers joined together (poly=many)

Polymers are like a beaded necklace and monomers are like an individual bead! monomer

polymer

The 4 compounds of life are organic compounds

Organic means that the molecules contain

carbon!

1. Carbohydrates• Sugars for making energy• Found in bread, plant matter, grains, sugars• Can be simple or complex• All C6H12O6, but in various arrangements• Hydrogen and Oxygen ratio= 2:1• Most sugars end in suffix “-ose”

Two common sugars…

• Simple carbs have one ring – monosaccharides• Carbs with two rings joined together - disaccharides• Multiple rings - polysaccharides

3 main types of polysaccharides (complex carbs):

1. Plants store excess energy in the form of starch.

2. Animals store energy as glycogen.

3. Cellulose is structural support for plants. Fiber (what we call cellulose when it is eaten) is indigestible to humans.

a monosaccharide!(like glucose!)

So, what is the monomer of a carbohydrate?

2. Lipids

• Waxy, oily, fatty• From foods like butter and oils• Cholesterol: Important lipid that makes cell

membranes flexible! But it’s possible to get too much!! (Do you know someone with high cholesterol? They probably have to watch their lipid intake!)

• Many more hydrogens than oxygens– Hydrogen to oxygen ratio is always greater than

2:1

• Saturated Fats: often solid at room temp.– Only single bonds– Animal fats, lard, butter– Not as healthy

• Unsaturated Fats: often liquid at room temp.– One or more double bonds– Plant oils, nuts, avocados– Healthier

Warm-up

• What is the monomer of a carbohydrate?• Draw a sketch of a monomer of a

carbohydrate.

Good Fats Versus Bad FatsFatty Acid Structure:

So, what is the monomer of a lipid?

• One glycerol (an alcohol) attached to three fatty acid chains

Lipids

I can’t believe it’s not butter!

• Did you know?

When choosing between real butter and the butter substitute, real butter is healthier???

This is because our bodies recognize butter as an organic compound and so they are able to break it down.

On the other hand, fake butter is only 1 carbon chain away from being plastic!

What too much fat can do to you…

• Too much fat can clog your arteries leading to fatal cases such as a heart attack or a stroke or Coronary Heart Disease

• This is because clogged arteries may lead to a blood clot. Therefore, it will block the flow of blood to your heart.

3. Proteins• Contain nitrogen as well as C, H, O• Monomer - amino acid• Amino acids are linked together by peptide

bonds (a type of covalent bond) to form proteins

• R- the variable part of the amino acid

Peptide Bond

Protein structure

Structure = function

How the protein folds/is arranged affects its function

4. Nucleic Acids• Large complex molecules composed of

phosphorous, N, C, O, and H.• 2 basic kinds of nucleic acids: RNA &

DNA

Monomer: Nucleotide

Monomer: Nucleotide

DNA and RNA contain our genetic material!

Can you see the repeating nucleotides???

Jamie has swim practice later today, what should he eat for lunch to

prepare? What do you think?

a.Whole grain pastab.A big saladc.Steakd.Bring on the

BOJANGLES!

Enzymes – super special proteins

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. They are also called catalysts.

Almost every reaction in your body is controlled by an enzyme!

• Enzymes speed up reactions without altering the reaction

• They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to happen

• They are “denatured” (destroyed) by:

• Temperature• pH changes

• Enzyme names end in “-ase”

Siamese cats have an enzyme that works at lower temperatures only, causing the nose and ears to become a darker color than the rest of the body.

Enzyme specificity• Enzymes are specific (like a lock and

key)• Each enzyme binds to one particular

substrate• Where it binds (attaches) is called the

active site• When the enzyme binds it changes the

chemical composition of the substrate