Chemistry of Life

Living things are made of 2 types of molecules. (Remember a molecule is a group of atoms bonded together) Small to average molecules like water (H 2 O which is the most abundant molecule in living organisms) or glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) Small to average molecules like water (H 2 O which is the most abundant molecule in living organisms) or glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) Or MACROMOLECULES like proteins (C 50 H 110 O 60 N 25 S 6 ) or fats (C 60 H 124 O 6 ) Or MACROMOLECULES like proteins (C 50 H 110 O 60 N 25 S 6 ) or fats (C 60 H 124 O 6 )

Macromolecules  Giant molecules made of 100’s to 1 000’s of smaller molecules An analogy  A word = a molecule  A book = a macromolecule (because it is made of 1000’s of words)

The small molecules that make up the macromolecules are called MONOMERS The macromolecules made up of the monomers are called POLYMERS

ORGANIC MOLECULES Chemicals that contain the element carbon

The Organic Macromolecules that make up living things are Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic Acids Proteins

Carbohydrates Used by living things –For energy –To store energy –To make up cell walls

Carbohydrates are found in Sweet foods like table sugar, honey and fruit Starchy foods like bread, pasta, and potatoes

Carbohydrates Are molecules made of the elements of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen only in a 1:2:1 ratio. C 6 H 12 O 6 (chemical formula for glucose)

Carbohydrate Monomers The building blocks of larger carbohydrate molecules Monosaccharides Monosaccharides –Mono = one –Saccharide = sweet

Two Main Types of Monosaccharides  Glucose (cells use it for energy and found in IV bags at hospitals)  Fructose (fruit sugar)

Disaccharides (di = 2)  Carbohydrates made of two monomer units.  A common disaccharide is sucrose, which you call table sugar.

Polysaccharides (poly = many)  Are larger carbohydrate molecules made of 3 or more monomer units (monosaccharides)

Polysaccharides  Are found in starchy foods  Taste plain versus sweet  Glycogen is a polysaccharide that is a way your body can store energy in your liver  Cellulose is a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plant cells. It is what your paper is made of.

Lipids Used by living things –For long term energy storage –Cell membranes (waterproof) – Insulation – Some are used to make hormones

Lipids are found in Oil Butter Animal fat (fat around steak or chicken skin) Waxes Steroids (used to make hormones)

Lipids Are molecules made of mostly of carbon and hydrogen with some oxygen.

Lipid Monomers 3 fatty-acids and 1 glycerol Fatty acid glycerol

Lipid Polymers Lipids This whole thing is a lipid!

Unsaturated Fats * Liquid at room temperature *They are the better fats to eat because they flow through the blood vessels easier * Examples are olive oil and soybean oil

Saturated Fats * Solid at room temperature *They are the bad fats to eat because they stick inside the blood vessels * Examples are butter, bacon grease, and animal fat

Proteins Functions include –Build muscle –Build hair, skin and nails – Speed up chemical reactions

Proteins Are macromolecules made of mostly of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.

Protein Monomers Amino Acids –There are 20 different amino acids

Protein Polymers Proteins! This whole thing is a protein! They are just long chains of amino acids There’s 1 more slide to see!!

Nucleic Acids Examples – DNA, RNA, and ATP Codes genetic information Monomer = nucleotides Polymer = nucleic acids (like DNA) Add this info onto your paper!!