Biological Macromolecules

What are biological macromolecules? Make up living things Large molecules made up of smaller repeating units Built upon skeletons of carbon atoms. Includes 4 classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

The versatility of carbon…

We are CHON!

Carbohydrates Provides quick energy for cells (glucose) Structural component of plants (cellulose) Chemical formula (CH2O)n monosaccharide (simple sugar) disaccharide (sugar) polysaccharide (starch)

Monosaccharides (simple sugars) What is the chemical formula of each of these monosaccharides? C6H12O6

2 Monosaccharides = Disaccharide (sugar)

Common Polysaccharides

Lipids Long-term energy storage Energy-rich (9 calories/g vs. 4 calories/g for carbs) Hydrophobic Lots of C, H, and O Made up of fatty acids In food called fats and oils (triglycerides)

Triglycerides = Glycerol + 3 Fatty Acids

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats All single carbon-carbon bonds on fatty acids Solid at room temperature Examples: beef, chocolate, butter Unsaturated: Liquid at room temperature At least one double carbon-carbon bond on fatty acids Examples: olive oil, corn oil, fish oil

Proteins Structural components of animals (hair, feathers, skin, muscle) Enzymes: proteins which serve as biological catalysts C, H, O, N Made up of folded chains of amino acids (shape=function)

Amino acids link to form proteins

Macromolecules Overview Class Subunit (monomer) Function Elements Examples Carbohydrate Monosaccharide Short-term energy storage and plant structure (CH2O)n Glucose Sucrose Starch Cellulose Glycogen Lipid 3 Fatty Acids + 1 glycerol Long-term energy storage C, H, O Triglycerides (Fat) Cell Membrane Steroids Protein Amino Acid Animal structure and enzymes C, H, O, N (some S) Hair Skin Muscle Enzymes Nucleic Acid Nucleotide Storage and transfer of genetic info C, H, O, N, P DNA RNA