Carbon Compounds

Macromolecules Macromolecules are giant molecules made up of subunits called – Monomers Many monomers join together to form a – Polymer

Intro to Macromolecules Organic Compound -A compound that contains the element carbon and is made by living organisms In order for life to occur, many organisms require complex organic molecules (macromolecules) Organisms get these organic molecules via the nutrients they take in or by producing the organic molecules themselves.

4 Major groups of macromolecules There are four principal classes of organic compounds found in living things. 1.Carbohydrates 2.Lipids 3.Proteins 4. Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates (CH 2 O)n Examples: – Starch, cellulose Function: – Source of energy – Structural Building blocks (monomers) – Monosaccharide's (mono = single; saccharides = ‘sugar’) – Ex: glucose, fructose, galactose

Carbohydrates

Disaccharides (Di= two; saccharides = sugar) These are formed when two monosaccharide's are joined. Example #1 Milk sugar Glucose + Galactose = lactose Example #2 Common Table Sugar Glucose + fructose = Sucrose

Polysaccharides (Poly = many; sacchardies = sugars) Polysaccharides are molecules are made of thousands of monosaccharide's connected in a chain. Ex: Starch Foods high in starch: bread, cereal, pasta Function in the body: source of energy! When starch is digested, molecules are broken down into smaller units (individual sugars/ monosaccharide's); which provide energy to run our cells!

Polysaccharide’s cont. Example: Cellulose (a.k.a. ‘fiber’) Function: Structural support for plant cell (forms the cell wall); helps maintain a healthy digestive system Difference between starch and cellulose- Different branching patterns in the structural formula

Take two minutes to summarize what you have learned about Carbohydrates. Discuss with your shoulder partner- What do you understand well? What is a little confusing?

Lipids (CHO) (Mostly carbon & hydrogen. Very little oxygen) Examples - Fats, oils, waxes, sterols (hormones) Functions Stored energy (fats) Structural- part of the cell membrane (phospholipids) Repel water because they are nonpolar (even distribution of charge across the molecule) Ex- waxes. Helps to ‘waterproof’ a duck’s feathers Chemical messengers (hormones such as estrogen & testosterone) Building blocks Fatty acids (3) & glycerol (1)

Lipids Cont. The bonds between carbon and hydrogen in fatty acids are energy rich. This is why fats “store energy”. ** There are many different types of fatty acids **

2 classifications of fats

Lipids cont. Saturated Fat - contain saturated fatty acids that are straight molecules. These are generally solid at room temperature Examples - most animal fats ( butter, lard, grease, etc.) These are the “Unhealthy” ones!

Lipids Cont. Unsaturated Fat - contain unsaturated fatty acids that have “kinks” in it caused by double bonds between carbon atoms. Generally are liquid at room temperature. Examples - plant oils ( oil, corn), some fish oils

Take two minutes to summarize what you have learned about Lipids. Discuss with your shoulder partner- What do you understand well? What is a little confusing?

Proteins (CHON) Examples: – Hemoglobin, antibodies, collagen, enzymes Functions: – Control reactions (enzymes), immune response (antibodies), cell transport (transport proteins), structural (collagen) Building blocks – Amino acids

The type & sequence (order) of amino acids determines the shape of a protein The shape determines function If the order of amino acids is wrong – the protein doesn’t work

Protein Cont. We build proteins in our cells, as well as consume protein through our diet (ex. meat, eggs, dairy). The ‘instructions’ for building protein is in ‘written’ in our genes (DNA) Question: You know DNA is a big deal….. but what is the purpose of DNA?

Answer: It codes for protein! DNA is like a giant cookbook. Genes are like individual recipes. These ‘recipe’s code for specific proteins. Question: Why is that a big deal you may ask?

Answer Proteins drive cellular activity. They cause most things to ‘happen’ in a cell! Without proteins the most basic functions of life could not be carried out. Respiration, for example, requires muscle contractions, and muscle contractions require proteins.

Take two minutes to summarize what you have learned about Proteins. Discuss with your shoulder partner- What do you understand well? What is a little confusing?

Nucleic Acids Examples - DNA, RNA Function: – Store (DNA) and transmit (DNA) hereditary (genetic) information, which directs cellular activity Building blocks: – nucleotides Nucleotide

Nucleic Acids Cont. Example #2 ATP - adenosine triphosphate. This is a single nucleotide that carries energy in cells. – This is the “currency” of cells. – When food molecules (glucose) are broken down inside of cells (cell respiration), some of the energy in the molecules is stored temporarily in ATP. – Some of this energy is used by cell. All cells need a steady supply of ATP to function.

Take two minutes to summarize what you have learned about Nucleic Acids. Discuss with your shoulder partner- What do you understand well? What is a little confusing?