Carbon Based Molecules Section 2.3

Carbons Unique Bonding Properties Carbon = Building block of life Carbon forms 4 covalent bonds with many different elements

3 General Structures Carbon can form: Long chains Branched chains Rings Can form single, double or triple bonds with other carbons

3 General Structures for Carbon:

Macromolecules Macromolecules: large molecules made of carbon compounds All macromolecules are made of monomers: small subunits that act as building blocks Polymers: large molecule built by monomers

Monomers and Polymers Mono- = one Poly- = many

Four classes of Macromolecules Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

1. Carbohydrates Made of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O) Include sugars and starches Fruits and grains both contain large amounts of carbohydrates

1. Carbohydrates Basic carbohydrates are simple sugars Simple sugars can be bonded together to make larger carbohydrates

1. Carbohydrates Monomers are called monosaccharides (simple sugar) Polymers of carbohydrates are called polysaccharides (linked monomers) Monomer: glucose

Functions Short term energy storage Structural support Ex: Starch, glycogen Structural support Ex: Cellulose in plants

2. Lipids Have a large amount of C & H, but very little O Do not dissolve in water Non Polar Molecules Examples: Fats, Oils, Cholesterol

2. LipidsFats Fats have 3 fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol Glycerol: an alcohol Fatty Acid: a long chain of C atoms with many H’s attached

Lipid Molecule Triglyceride

Lipids  Fats Saturated fats: only have single bonds between all the carbons in the fatty acid chains Unsaturated fats: have at least one (or more) double bonds between the carbons

Lipids Fats

Molecule: Phospholipid Builds cell membranes Phosphate head Fatty acid tails

Functions Long term energy storage (Ex. Fats) Form the cell membrane (Ex. Phospholipids) Used to make steroid hormones (Ex. Cholesterol)

3. Proteins Composed of H, C, O & N Most varied group Polymer made of specific monomers, amino acids 20 different amino acids are used to build proteins

Proteins  Amino Acids Differ in their side chain called an R-group Are linked by peptide bonds into chains called polypeptides

Examples of AAs:

Polymers: polypeptides Polypeptides fold up to form proteins Example Monomers: amino acids Polymers: polypeptides Polypeptides fold up to form proteins

3. Proteins The specific sequence of amino acids determines the proteins structure and function

Functions: Structural support (collagen) Storage (ovalbumin) Transport (hemoglobin) Defense (antibodies) Enzymes (catalase)

4. Nucleic Acids Made from monomers called nucleotides Types: DNA & RNA Functions: Store genetic information in cells Give instructions to build proteins

Nucleotides: 3 parts: Phosphate Group 5 carbon sugar Nitrogenous Base

Nucleic Acid: