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Molecules of Life. Fun with Biomolecules (Macromolecules). Biochemistry Terms. Biomolecule – any molecule produced by a living organism. Macromolecule – when smaller molecules join together to form a larger more complex molecule. Polyunsaturated fat. Important Macromolecules.
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Molecules of Life Fun withBiomolecules (Macromolecules)
Biochemistry Terms • Biomolecule – any molecule produced by a living organism. • Macromolecule – when smaller molecules join together to form a larger more complex molecule. Polyunsaturated fat
Important Macromolecules • There are four types of macromolecules that make up all living organisms: • Carbohydrates • Lipids • Proteins • Nucleic Acids
Elements found in the four macromolecules: These three elements are found in all four • Carbon • Hydrogen • Oxygen • Nitrogen • Phosphorus hydrogen carbon oxygen
How they are made & Broken Down: • Monomers-simplest, one unit building blocks. • Polymers-multiunit, polymers are made of monomers. • Polymers are made using a process known as dehydration synthesis (removes a water molecule). • Polymers are broken down using a process known as hydrolysis (“breaks” or lyses a water molecule and “adds” it). http://nhscience.lonestar.edu/biol/dehydrat/dehydrat.html
Carbohydrates • Structure: • Elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. CHO • Subunits: Monosaccharides • Form a RING • Function: Quick energy…their bonds store a lot of energy!
Examples-Simple Monomer-simplest unit Simple = Monosaccharides (C6H12O6) • Glucose from plants • Fructose from fruits • Galactose from milk GlucoseFructose
Example-Complex Polymer-larger units made of monomers Complex = Disaccharides (C12H24O12) – two rings • Sucrose = glucose & fructose • Lactose = glucose & galactose • Maltose = glucose & glucose Sucrose Lactose
Example-Very Complex Polymer-larger units made of monomers Very Complex=Polysaccharides – many rings • Starch is stored in plants (grains & potatoes) • Celluloseinplant cell walls & wood • Glycogen stored in animal livers & muscles Cellulose
Lipids • Structure: • Elements-carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms CHO • Subunits: glycerol and fatty acids (and sometimes a phosphate) • Arranged in CHAINS • Function: • Better for storing energy-more bonds than carbohydrates.
Lipid Types • Fats = energy storage (cooking oil, butter) • Steroids = hormones & cholesterol • Waxes = protective coatings (ear wax and cuticle of plant leaves) • Phospholipids = important component of the cell membrane • Examples:
Proteins • Structure: • Elements-carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms CHON • Subunits: amino acids • Functions: • Structural proteins-building blocks of cells • Globular proteins- • Enzymes • Messenger and transport proteins (cell membrane)
There are 20 different types of amino acids and they can form new proteins based upon their order and the number of them present in a protein chain. Generalized Amino Acid
Nucleic AcidsDNA and RNA • Structure: • Elements-carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. CHONP • Subunits: nucleotides • Function: • Control genetic information
Types of Nucleic Acids • There are two types of nucleic acids: • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) • codes for genes • RNA (ribonucleic acid) • transfers information