Biological Molecules

Biological MoleculesThe building block of life.CarbonAll living and once-living things are made up of the element carbonCarbon is unique because it can make up to four strong covalent bondsBonds can be single, double, or triple bondsCarbon compounds form 3 main shapes:Straight Chains

Branched Chains

And Rings

StructuresA single chain or ring is called a monomerMany monomers can join together to make a large macromolecule called a polymerA reaction that combines two or monomers is called a condensation reactionH2O is also produced through condensation reactionsAlso called dehydration synthesishttp://www.biotopics.co.uk/as/aminocon.htmlStructuresThe opposite of dehydration synthesis is hydrolysisWater (H2O) is added to a polymer and breaks the bonds linking two monomers togetherhttp://www.biotopics.co.uk/as/disaccharidehydrolysis.html

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates are compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (example: CH2O, C6H12O6)All living things use carbs as their main source of energyPlants use starchAnimals use glycogenCarbohydrates are also used for structure in cellsPlants have cellulose in their cell wallsFungi have chitin in their cell wall and insects have chitin in their exoskeletonsCarbohydratesCarbohydrates are sugars, or saccharidesA single sugar molecule is called a monosaccharideGlucose is a very important monosaccharide and makes up many more complex sugarsOther examples of monosaccharides include:Sucrose table sugarLactose, found in milkFructose, found in most fruitsCarbohydratesMany monosaccharides linked together are called polysaccharidesStarch, glycogen are long chains of glucose moleculesCellulose and chitin are also polysaccharides

ProteinsProteins are made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfurProteins are polymers of molecules called amino acidsMore than 20 different amino acids exist in natureProteins

http://www.biotopics.co.uk/as/aminocon.htmlProteinsProteins have four main shapesStraight chain of amino acidsChain with twisted amino acidsTwisted and folded chainKnotted chainProtein chains are connected by two bonded sulfur atoms, called disulfide bridgesProteinsProteins control the rates of reactions and regulate cell processes (enzymes)Proteins also provide structure within living thingsExamples:Collagen makes up cartilage, tendons (muscles), skin, and bonesKeratin makes up horns, feathers, hair, and finger nailsEnzymes increase reaction ratesCarbonic anhydrase quickly removes carbon dioxide from the bloodstreamLactase breaks down lactoseLipidsLipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorous Lipids are fats, oils, waxes, and steroidsLipids are made up of a glycerol backbone and fatty acid chainsLipidsGlycerolFatty Acids

Lipids

LipidsA saturated fatty acid is a fatty acid chain where all carbons are linked by single bondsSaturated fats are solids at room temperatureAn unsaturated fatty acid is a fatty acid chain where there is at least one double bond between two carbon atomsThe fatty acid chains are bent where there are double bondsUnsaturated fats are liquids at room temperature

LipidsLipids are used for long-term energy storageFats are used for energy storageLipids are also used in cell membranes and to deliver chemical messagesPhospholipids make up cell membranesSteroids include hormones, which deliver chemical messages, and cholesterolWaxes include ear wax, beeswax, and the waterproof wax coating on plant stems and leavesLipids

Nucleic AcidsNucleic acids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and nitrogenNucleic acids are made up of nucleotidesNucleotides are made up of5-Carbon sugar deoxyribose (DNA) or ribose (RNA)Nitrogen base A, T, G, C, or UPhosphate groupNucleic AcidsNucleic Acids store genetic information (DNA) or synthesize, or put together, proteins (RNA)The order of the nitrogen base pairs determine genetic codeDNA has adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), and cytosine (C)RNA has A, G, C, and uracil (U) instead of TA always joins T or U and G always joins CNucleic AcidsDNA has a double helix shapeRNA has a single helix shape