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 There are four types of macromolecules that

make up all living organisms:

1. Carbohydrates2. Lipids3. Proteins4. Nucleic Acids

Elements found in the four macromolecules:

Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen Phosphorus

These three elements are found in all four

carbon hydrogen 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

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

Simple = Monosaccharides (C6H12O6) Glucose from plants Fructose from fruits Galactose from milk

Glucose Fructose

Monomer-simplest unit

Example-Complex

Complex = Disaccharides (C12H24O12) – two rings

Sucrose = glucose & fructose Lactose = glucose & galactose Maltose = glucose & glucose

Sucrose Lactose

Polymer-larger units made of monomers

Example-Very Complex

Very Complex=Polysaccharides – many rings Starch is stored in plants (grains &

potatoes) Cellulose in plant cell walls & wood Glycogen stored in animal livers &

muscles

Cellulose

Polymer-larger units made of monomers

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 Examples:

• 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

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:

a) DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) codes for genes

b) RNA (ribonucleic acid) transfers information

Any Questions?