Carbon-Based Molecules Part 1

1. Carbon-Based Molecules Part 1 Biochemistry

2. Objectives • SWBAT describe the bonding properties of carbon atoms. • SWBAT compare carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

3. Starter • We have talked about carbon based molecules in other units. I want you to take a couple of minutes and make a list of the carbon based compounds we have touched on in this class or you have heard about in other places. • You may work in groups.

4. Vocabulary for Unit 2.3 (P. 44) • Monomer • Polymer • Carbohydrate • Monosaccharide • Polysaccharide • Starch • Cellulose • glycogen • Lipid • Fatty acid • Protein • Amino acid • Nucleic acid

5. Carbon: Building Blocks of Life • Carbon atoms are the basis of most molecules making up living things. • They form the structure of living things. • Carry out most of the processes that keep organisms alive. • Carbon atoms have special bonding properties, due to its atomic structure, which are unique among elements.

6. Carbon: Building Blocks of Life • Carbon atom has four unpaired electrons in its outer energy level – allowing it to form covalent bonds with up to four other atoms (including other carbon atoms).

7. Carbon: Building Blocks of Life • Because Carbon can form four other covalent bonds, it can form large molecules (long chains and rings).

8. Hydrocarbons are classified based on how many carbons strung together How Cleanly a hydrocarbon burns is based on the length of the carbon chain. Fewer carbons equals cleaner burning.

9. Quick Question • Why is methane considered clean burning? • When it burns, what does it produce?

10. Carbon Chains and Rings • Carbon-based molecules have 3 fundamental structures (creating a lot of flexibility): • Straight chains (Pentene) • Branched chains (Iso-butane)

11. Carbon Chains and Rings • Rings (Vanillin and Hexane ring) • To reiterate, the bonding flexibility is due to the carbon’s ability to enter into up to 4 covalent bonds at the same time – forming large molecules

12. Links in a chain • Large carbon molecules are made out of many smaller ones linked together.

13. Links are called monomers, the chains are polymers. • Each link, a smaller molecule, is known as a monomer (mono means one). • Monomers linked together form a polymer (a molecule that contains many monomers bonded together.

14. Links are called monomers, the chains are polymers.

15. Question to check understanding • What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?

16. Carbohydrates • The word carbohydrate literally means “watered carbon.” • Do you remember the chemical formula for glucose? How does that remind us of the formula for water? • C6H12O6

17. Carbohydrate Definition • Molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. • They include sugars and starches. • Carbohydrates can be broken down to provide a source of usable chemical energy for cells. • They are a major part of plant cell structure (our producers).

18. Glucose – simple sugar • The most basic carbohydrates are simple sugars. • Glucose is a simple sugar (it contains six carbons and is called a monosaccharide). • Fructose, found in fruit, is another six carbon monosaccharide.

19. Simple sugars can be bonded together • Quick Test: When is glucose made? • Answer - photosynthesis • Simple sugars can be bonded to one another to make larger carbohydrates called polysaccharides. This is glucose linked as polysaccharides.

20. Connecting a concept • Glucose is a monosaccharide – this makes it a what? • Answer – a monomer • A chain of glucose is a polysaccharide – so, a chain of glucose monomers makes a . . . • Polymer – a polymer is known as a macromolecule.

21. So . . . • Multiple monosaccharides (monomers) linked together form polysaccharides (polymers). • Examples: Starch (storage and source of energy in plants), glycogen (storage and energy source in animals, and cellulose (plant structure), are polysaccharides This is a disaccharide known as table sugar

22. Cellulose, Starch, and Glycogen • Cellulose is a rigid, straight polymer which makes up the cell walls of plants. • it is tough and fibrous (a good source of your fiber). • Starch – made and stored by plants and can be broken down for energy by both plants and animals. • Glycogen – made and stored in animals is highly branched but essentially does the same thing in animals that starch does in plants.

23. Interesting Fact • Few animals have enzymes that allow them to hydrolyze cellulose. • Primary consumers (cows, pigs, goats, deer, termites, etc.), however, are able to use cellulose for nutrients because of protists and bacteria living in their guts. • Cellulose is the most abundant organic molecule on Earth.

24. Entrance Ticket • What elements make up a carbohydrate? • Explain how the bonding properties of carbon atoms result in the large variety of carbon-based molecules in living things?