The Building Blocks of Life Macromolecules

Bell Work Vocabulary Monomer Polymer Monosaccharide Polysaccharide

Carbon Carbon is a component of almost all biological molecules Life on earth is considered “carbon- based”. Organic = made of carbon

“Macromolecules” MACRO = BIG MOLECULE = two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds Aka biomolecules, carbon compounds, organic molecules

Macromolecules Monomer: one building block [“mono” means “one”]

Macromolecules Polymer: many building blocks put together “Poly” means “many” Polymerization- making polymers

Building Macromolecules Condensation Reaction- building molecules by removing water This is also known as dehydration synthesis Monomer POLYMER Monomer H2O Water out

Separating Macromolecules Hydrolysis: breaking apart molecules by adding water Monomer H2O Water in

Mini Quiz Building molecules by removing water is called . One building block is called a . What does it mean to be organic?

Macromolecules aka organic compounds, biomolecules, etc. Large molecules that are formed by joining smaller organic molecules together Polymer – made from repeating subunits Important Macromolecules: Carbohydrates Proteins Fats or Lipids Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates Consists of: Structure: Monomers Function Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Structure: Often a hexagon shape One oxygen and two hydrogen for every Carbon 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen Monomers Monosaccharide Function Short term ENERGY!!!

Carbohydrates Examples: Monosaccharide – simple sugar Glucose – provides energy to most living organisms(blood sugar need insulin to breakdown in liver) Fructose –sweetness in fruits (liver breakdown) Disaccharide – Two simple sugars bound together through condensation reaction Lactose (glucose + galactose) and sucrose (glucose + fructose) Polysaccharide (Complex Carbohydrates)- long chain, “many” (10-1000s of monosaccharides) Glycogen – storage in liver or muscle of animals Starch – storage in plants Cellulose - Makes up outer boundary of a plant cell

Lipids and fats Structure: Contain a glycerol molecule & chains called fatty acids Lots of H’s and only a few O’s

Lipids and fats Types: Saturated – Animals store energy as saturated fats. The fatty acids stick to arterial walls and can lead to cardiovascular disease if not consumed in a cautious manner. Unsaturated Fats: Plants store energy in unsaturated fats. These fats don’t stick to arterial walls in the same way as saturated fats do.

Lipids and Fats Examples Functions: LONG TERM energy storage Insulation Structure of the cell membrane (phospoholipid) Examples Steroids Starting point for vitamin D and hormones (estrogen and testosterone) Cholesterol- adds stability to the cell membrane Waxes

Protein Made of: Amino Acids (building blocks of proteins) Consist of: Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Hydrogen Amino Group Carboxyl Group

Putting Together A Protein (Protein Synthesis)

Protein Function & Examples Speed up reactions – enzymes in digestion Transport substances (hemoglobin) Provide structural support (collagen) Make hormones – (estrogen, testosterone) IMPROTANT: Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins!

Enzymes Substances that help speed up chemical reactions Substrate: The compound to be broken down or put together http://highered.mcgraw- hill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter 2/animation__how_enzymes_work.html

Nucleic Acids Structure- has the letter P, looks like DNA Monomer is nucleotides Store and transmit genetic information Examples: DNA & RNA contain: Carbon Oxygen Nitrogen Phosphorus Hydrogen

Nucleic Acids Sugar phosphate backbone Base attached to the sugar

Nucleotides= 5 carbon sugar Phosphate group Nitrogenous base