Macromolecules Ms. Lindberg

Biochemical Compounds There are 4 main classes of biochemical compounds: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates Are organic molecules composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Made of monosaccharides Examples include sugars and starches. They are used as 1st source of energy

Polysaccharides Are chains of monosaccharides Examples: starch, cellulose, glycogen Each molecule of carbohydrates contain many carbon bonds. As these bonds break, quick energy is released.

Proteins Are organic molecules composed mainly of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. They are made up of building blocks called amino acids.

Amino Acids There are 20 different amino acids that can join together in a tremendous number of combinations.

Peptide bonds The bonds that holds two amino acids together is called a peptide bond. Two amino acids bond together to form a dipeptide. Additional amino acids may join with a dipeptide to form a polypeptide.

Proteins The sequence and arrangement of amino acids determines the specific role of the protein. Proteins can be structural or functional Structural: collagen forms bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Functional: insulin (hormone) Enzymes

Lipids Are organic molecules that do not dissolve in water. Examples are fats and oils. Lipids store energy from excess food. They insulate and waterproof organisms. 2nd source of energy (stored)

Lipids Lipids are formed from a combination of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules. Fatty acids consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Nucleic Acids The information that is passed on from one generation of cells to the next is stored in nucleic acids. These are large complex molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous.

Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are assembled from individual units called nucleotides. The two most important nucleic acids are DNA and RNA. DNA stores the genetic material It is transcribed into RNA and then used to direct the production of proteins.