The Building Blocks of Life Biomolecules The Building Blocks of Life

Biomolecules are Organic Molecules- contains Carbon bonds Molecules containing Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and often Oxygen. They make up living organisms Examples: Methane (CH4) Glucose (C6H12O6) are all organic molecules

Biomolecules Basic Molecule: Proteins, Carbohydrates (sugars and starch), Lipids (Fats), Nucleic Acid (DNA, RNA) Macromolecule: Large molecules of the above that can be broken down. Ex. Starch made of many sugars

Biomolecules Subunits: The smaller molecules that are the building blocks of macro molecules Sugars that make up starch or cellulose Amino Acids that make up Proteins Fatty acids and glycerol make up lipids

Carbohydrate Simple vs. Complex sugars Simple sugars: Monosaccharide: “One” “Sugar” We will focus on glucose: C6H1206 The basic source of organism energy DRAW THIS MOLECULE Of GLUCOSE

Simple Sugars:Carbohydrates Disaccharide “Two” “Sugars” Examples: Table sugar: Sucrose= Glucose + Fructose Maltose= Glucose + Glucose

Complex Sugars: Polysaccharide Poly “many”, Saccharide “sugars” Functions: Cells use them for energy and structure. They allow organisms to gradually use energy since it is stored in a large structure. (like money in a bank)

Complex Sugars: Polysaccharide Starch : has thousands of glucoses (sugars) bonded together ………Thousands

Complex Sugars: Polysaccharides Cellulose: Makes up the walls of plant cells. Also made from glucose. Ruminants (cattle, sheep) can digest both cellulose and glucose. Humans can digest starch, but not cellulose WHY??????????

Polysaccharides Glycogen: Animals store carbohydrates (glucose) in the form of glycogen; similar in form to starch. Why???? This is why… This is our reserve energy Stored in liver and muscles We do not want to lose our carbs all at once!!

Proteins Made of Amino Acid Chains Amino Acids are bonded through a peptide bond

Each ball is An Amino Acid. Bonded by Peptide Bonds There are 20 Amino Acids

There are 20 different occurring amino acids

Protein Function Building material: muscle, hair, fingernails Enzymes: Help with chemical reaction in the cells and body (catalyst) Immunity: make up antibodies Other specific functions such as Hemoglobin: carry O2 in red blood cells

Examples of Protein Structures The shape of protein is important to its function. Enzyme: Quaternary Structure

Lipids (Fats) A common lipid is made of 3 fatty acids chains connected to a glycerol

Lipids (Fats) Glycerol: a type of alcohol. The back bone of Fats. 3 Fatty acid chains: Long chains of C & H Saturated=as many C & H bonded as possible (Solid at Room Temp.) ex. Lard!! Unsaturated= C and C bonds can be double (usually Liquid at Room Temp.) ex. Corn oil

Lipids (Fats) Functions The main energy storing molecule because of the high # of carbon to carbon bonds. Why are bonds important? …because they Store chemical energy Lipids store more energy than any other biomolecule 9 Cal/gram = lipids 4 Cal/gram = carbohydrates and proteins

Lipids (Fats) Functions Insulate and protect Main molecule of the Cell membrane Make up some hormones (testosterone)

Nucleic Acids Large organic molecules that determine the genetic traits of an organism. Small units of Nucleic Acids are called nucleotides which are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen When nucleotides bond with sugar and phosphates, they form DNA and RNA

?Questions? What type of bond connects Amino Acids? What are lipids composed of? What are three of the macromolecules of carbohydrates? What is the sugar subunit? What are the four types of elements that make up biomolecules?