Unit 2 Notes:Biomolecules

(1) What are biomolecules?● Molecules made of the 6 biological elements.

● All living things are made of biomolecules.

● 4 Types:○ Carbohydrates○ Lipids○ Nucleic Acids○ Proteins

(2) The Biological Elements● There are 6 biological elements found in all living things:

○ Carbon○ Hydrogen○ Oxygen○ Nitrogen○ Phosphorus○ Sulfur

(3) Structure & Function● Each biomolecule has a unique chemical structure, and a unique function!

● Monomers = Basic building blocks OR repeating units that are used to make up a biomolecule.

● Polymers = The whole biomolecule (made up of many monomers).

● Each unique biomolecule is made of different monomers, and has different types of polymers!

(4) Carbohydrates● Structure:

○ Monomers = Monosaccharides = Single Sugar = Simple Sugars like Glucose/Fructose○ Polymers = Polysaccharides = Many Sugars = Complex Carbs like Starch/Wheat

● Functions:○ Monosaccharides provide cells with a quick burst of short term energy.○ Polysaccharides provide cells with intermediate energy.

(5) Lipids● Structure:

○ Monomers = Fatty Acids and Glycerol○ Polymers = Phospholipids, Oils, Fats

● Functions:○ Phospholipids form the outer covering of our cells (called “cell membranes).○ Oils and Fats provide cells with a source of long term energy storage.

(6) Nucleic Acids● Structure:

○ Monomers = Nucleotides○ Polymers = DNA and RNA

● Function:○ Provide cells with the genetic instructions to make proteins.

(7) Proteins● Structure:

○ Monomers = Amino Acids○ Polymers = Proteins (aka Polypeptides), and Enzymes

● Functions:○ Create cell structure.○ Provide the physical expression of DNA.○ Enzymes catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions).○ Hemoglobin in your blood allows your red blood cells to bind with oxygen gas!

(8) Water● Water is found inside and used by all living things.

● Water is a POLAR molecule:○ This means that one end of the molecule (the Hydrogens) is slightly more positive than the

other end (the Oxygen).

○ Water can only thereby interact with other polar molecules.

● Water is a Universal Solvent and is used in living systems to dissolve and carry many types of solutes (or other molecules and ions).

● Water is also used in living systems to release and store energy within molecules.