The building blocks of life Organisms are made of carbon-based molecules

The building blocks of lifeThe building blocks of life

Organisms are made of Organisms are made of carbon-based moleculescarbon-based molecules

Organic chemistryOrganic chemistryOrganic = carbon based molecules.Carbon atoms are covalently bonded

into rings and chains.

•What is the chemical formula of this molecule?•Consists of different numbers of 3 atoms.

MacromoleculesMacromoleculesAre large molecules formed from smaller

molecules (covalently bonded).

Table of most abundant elements Table of most abundant elements found in living organismsfound in living organisms

Chemical/ symbol

Atomic number

Atomic mass

Bonds formed

Carbon

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Phosphorus

Sulfur

Carbohydrates

• FORM General chemical formula is CH2O

• There are 3 types of carbohydrates1. simple sugars(monosaccharides)2. disaccharides3. polysaccharides

• FUNCTIONLiving organisms use carbs for energy storage and structural support (cellulose)

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

Type of carbohydrate

Examples Their role in living things

Monosaccharides Glucose Provide energy

Disaccharides SucroseLactose

Provide energy

Polysaccharides GlycogenStarchCellulose

Storage

Review Questions on Carbohydrates

1. What atoms make up the carbohydrate molecule?

2. What do living organisms use carbohydrates for?

3. Give an example for a monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide.

Lipids

• FORMMade of carbon and hydrogen• Examples of lipids are;

1. saturated/unsaturated fats 2. phospholipids (cell membrane)3. steroids

• FUNCTION Living organisms use lipids for storing energy and to provide barriers (cell membrane)

Review Questions on Lipids

1. What are some common examples of lipids?2. What two atoms are lipids primarily

composed of?3. What is the function of lipids?

Nucleic acids

• FORMNucleic acids are made of nucleotides (C, H, N, O, and P)

• A nucleotide has 3 parts to the molecule; sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base.

• Examples are DNA, RNA, and ATP• FUNCTIONstore and communicate

genetic information, cellular energy.

Comparing DNA and RNA

ATP – Adenosine triphosphate

Review Questions Nucleic Acids

1. What atoms make up nucleic acids?2. Give three examples of nucleic acids.3. What do nucleic acids do inside cells?4. What is the difference between RNA and

DNA?

Proteins

• FORMProteins are made of amino acids.

• The shape of the protein determines what it can do.

• FUNCTION control cell processes and the rate of reactions.

• Examples include enzymes, muscle fiber, and antibodies.

Review Questions for Proteins

1. What are the building blocks of proteins?2. What kind of bonds hold proteins together?3. What are the different shapes of proteins?4. What do proteins do for living organisms?