The Macromolecules of Life

Macromolecules Molecules that contain CARBON are called organic. All living things are composed of one or more cells. Cells are composed of chemicals: -Water -Carbohydrates -Proteins -Lipids -Nucleic Acids Molecules that contain CARBON are called organic. Macromolecules are large organic molecules.

Macromolecules Macromolecules are also called POLYMERS and BIOMOLECULES. Polymers are made of up of smaller “building blocks” called MONOMERS. Polymers/Macromolecules Biomolecules/Organic Molecules: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Nucleic Acids Two types: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double helix Ribonucleic acid (RNA) single strand Nucleic acids are composed of long chains of nucleotides. A nucleotide is the MONOMER of a nucleic acid POLYMER. Nucleic acids store genetic information.

Nucleotide Nitrogen base (A, G, C, or T) Phosphate Sugar

Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids are made up of a monomer called a nucleotide. Parts of a Nucleotide: -Phosphate group -Sugar -Nitrogen bases: adenine (A) thymine (T) cytosine (C) guanine (G)

DNA Structure copyright cmassengale

DNA - double helix A pairs with T C pairs with G

DNA Intro Strawberry Lab Online DNA Activity Nucleotide Cutouts DNA Worksheet copyright cmassengale

DNA Intro Research Questions: A nucleic acid is a macromolecule that is found in all living organisms. DNA & RNA Nucleotides are the monomer that make up a nucleic acid. Store genetic information for all living organisms. Hypothesis: Yes, because the strawberry was once alive so it will have all of the macromolecules. No, the strawberry is not alive, so it may not contain all of the macromolecules.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates Main source of energy Monosaccharide (mono – one) Disaccharide (di – two) Polysaccharide (poly – many)

Carbohydrates Monosaccharide: one sugar monomer Examples: Glucose (C6H12O6) Ribose Fructose glucose

Carbohydrates Disaccharide: two sugar unit Examples: Sucrose Lactose Maltose glucose

Carbohydrates Polysaccharide: many sugar units Examples: starch (bread, potatoes) glycogen (beef muscle) cellulose (lettuce, corn) glucose cellulose

Lipids

Lipids Compounds that are not soluble in water Main component of the cell membrane Stored/Reserve Energy After carbs are used up, fats have the reserve energy

Lipids Examples: Fats Phospholipids Oils Waxes Steroid hormones Triglycerides The body stores excess fat in fat cells, or lipocytes, which expand in size until the fat is used for fuel. Functions: Protection against heat loss (insulation) Chemical messengers (hormones) Major component of membranes (phospholipids) copyright cmassengale

Lipids an energy reserve Carbohydrates are the primary energy source. After carbohydrates are used up, an organism will use its fats for energy. What would happen if all the fats and carbs have already been used? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iWI72c42gc copyright cmassengale

Fatty Acids There are two kinds of fatty acids you may see these on food labels: Saturated fatty acids no double bonds (bad) Unsaturated double bonds (good)

When consumed in large amounts, lipids can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Are hormones lipids or proteins? Could be either! Steroid hormones are fat-soluble molecules made from cholesterol. Among these are the three major sex hormones groups: estrogens, androgens and progesterones. Males and females make all three, just in different amounts. Steroids pass into a cell's nucleus, bind to specific receptors and genes and trigger the cell to make proteins. Insulin, growth hormone, prolactin and other water-soluble protein hormones consist of long chains of amino acids, from several to 200 amino acids long. They are stored in endocrine cells until needed to regulate such processes as metabolism, lactation, growth and reproduction.

Proteins Made from amino acids chains The polymer protein is made up of the monomer amino acids 20 different amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds Even though there are only 20 amino acids, many different types of proteins exist because the sequence and number of amino acids in a chain can vary.

Proteins Functions Transport Regulatory Movement Structural Cellular Reactions Examples Hemoglobin protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen Hormones metabolism, growth Muscles membranes, hair, nails Enzymes

Cell Membrane consists of lipids & proteins

Enzymes a special type of protein Organic molecules that increase the rate of chemical reactions Catalyze reactions = speed up reactions (such as digestion)

There are so many proteins, how does a living organism know what protein is needed, and how to assemble from the amino acids?

Nucleic Acids Store Genetic Information DNA is in every living organism. DNA contains a code in the sequence of the base pairs. DNA transfers the code to RNA. RNA uses the code to link amino acids together. The linked amino acids make a specific protein. The proteins that are created have specific structure and function. http://youtu.be/zwibgNGe4aY DNA  RNA  Amino Acids  Proteins