The structure and Function of Macromolecules

Carbon: the primary ingredient Elements in organic compounds = C,H,N,O,P,S Carbon forms 4 bonds Can form chains or rings Can form single, double, or triple bonds Extremely versatile

Macromolecules defined… Large – made of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of smaller molecules 4 Classes: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Proteins Essential for life Most are polymers (long chains of covalently-bonded building blocks called, “monomers”)

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates Made of C, H, and O Source of energy Sometimes for structure Monomer building blocks are sugars called “monosaccharides” Monosaccharides combine to form Polysaccharides Glycogen (in animals), Starch and Cellulose (in plants)

Lipids

Lipids Mostly H and C Energy storage Waterproof coverings Biological membranes Glycerol and fatty acids Saturated – single bonds between C’s, solids at room temperature Unsaturated – at least one double bond between C’s, liquids at room temperature

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids Contain C, H, O, N, P Nucleotide monomers 5-Carbon sugar Phosphate Nitrogenous base Store and transmit genetic information 2 Kinds: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) Single vs. double strand Deoxyribose vs. Ribose sugar

Proteins

Proteins Made of C, H, O, and N Polymers of Amino Acids 20 kinds of amino acids Contain amine group (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) “R group” side chains give unique properties to Amino Acids (acidic, basic, charged) Instructions for protein is found in DNA Many purposes: control reaction rate, fight disease, transport, etc. 4 levels of organization: 1. sequence of AA, 2. folds/twists within the AA chain, 3. folds of the chain itself, 4. arrangement with other proteins