Two MORE Organic Biomolecules: Proteins and

Nucleic Acids

Honors Biology Notes

Warm Ups/Objectives

SWBAT: – Identify the building blocks and functions of

proteins– Identify the building blocks and functions of nucleic

acids

Warm-Up: List for water, carbohydrates, and lipids:

1. Elements in each biomolecule2. Building blocks3. Organic or Inorganic?4. Polar or Non-polar?

What are Proteins?

Proteins are biomolecules composed of C, H, O, and N (Nitrogen):– Building blocks = Amino Acids– Function as raw materials for

building new body parts like skin, hair, and nails

– Different proteins are made using different sequences of amino acids.

Building Blocks of Proteins

• Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins (the alphabet of the protein language)

• 20 amino acids exist, and can be combined in different ways to create all the proteins needed for life

Examples of Proteins In the Human Body

1. Contractile Proteins– Muscle fibers that allow for movement

2. Surface proteins– Identification markers on cell surfaces

3. Signal Proteins– Involved with hormone production

4. ENZYMES- We will talk about enzymes in-depth next

week

Proteins Checkpoint

1. Name the building blocks of proteins.

2. What four elements are present in all proteins?

3. Name three body parts composed of proteins.

Structure of Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic Acids are organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus

• Nucleic Acids are found in ALL cells.

Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

• The building blocks of nucleic acids are nucleotides. A nucleotide is a monomer; therefore making nucleic acids polymers of nucleotides joined by covalent bonds.

Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

• Each nucleotide is composed of three parts:1. Sugar2. Phosphate3. Nitrogen Base

Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

• Sugar and phosphate are the same in every nucleotide, but the nitrogen bases may vary. There are five types of nitrogen bases:

1. Adenine2. Thymine3. Uracil4. Cytocine5. Guanine

Functions of Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids store and pass on genetic information

Types of Nucleic Acids

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

– provides “directions” for its own copying (replication)

– Passed on from one generation to the next

– looks like a “twisted ladder” or double helix which is held together with hydrogen bonds

– composed of repeating units of nucleotides

DNA continued

– Nitrogen bases of DNA include adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)

– responsible for storing genetic information, or the building plan for all living organisms• makes up genes

– goes through a process known as DNA replication which is when DNA will make a copy of itself. DNA is located in the nucleus of the cell

DNA Base-Pair Rules

DNA looks like a twisted ladder with bases making up the rungs.

• Adenine on one side bonds to thymine on the other

• Cytosine on one side binds to guanine on the other

Types of Nucleic Acids

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)– directs the production of a

protein

– is a single strand of nucleotides one side of a ladder

– Nitrogen bases of RNA include adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)

RNA continued

– helps to make proteins in a process known as protein synthesis

Nucleic Acids Checkpoint1. Name the building blocks of nucleic acids.

2. True or false: RNA stores genetic information and passes it go the next generation

3. Which nucleic acid looks like a twisted ladder?

4. Explain the base-pairing rules for DNA.