Biochemistry 4 Macromolecules of Life

Definitions Monomer – Greek meaning “1 part”. Building block/subunit of a polymer Polymer – A chemical compound made up of many monomers Macromolecule – A long chain of molecules with similar repeating patterns within subunits

Proteins  Macromolecule containing C, N, O & H  Used for growth & repair  A polymer of amino acids

Enzymes Enzymes - Proteins that act as a biological catalyst Speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction Facilitates the bond between an amino acids in a protein

Amino Acids – Building Blocks of Proteins Amino Acids will always have a carboxylic acid and an amine functional group.

4 Levels of Protein Structure Primary Structure – the order of amino acids Secondary Structure – Alpha Helix, Beta Sheets Tertiary Structure – 3-dimensional structure Quaternary Structure – 2 or more peptide chains

Carbohydrates  Compound made up of C, O & H  Major source of energy in the human body  Includes simple sugars & complex starches

Carbohydrate Molecules Monosaccharide – Single Sugar Molecule

Disaccharide – 2 Sugar Molecules linked together Carbohydrate Molecules

Monosaccharide – Single Sugar Molecule Disaccharide – 2 Sugar Molecules linked together Polysaccharides – Many sugars linked (polymer)  Starch – glucose converted by plants for energy  Glycogen – converted glucose stored by humans for energy  Cellulose – converted glucose utilized by plants to form structural

Nucleic Acids DNA – double stranded nucleic acid containing the sugar dexoyribose RNA – single stranded nucleic acid containing the sugar ribose

Nucleic Acids Nucleotides – repeating monomers of nucleic acids that create DNA & RNA Consist of a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base Sugars in nucleic acids are ribose or deoxyribose – pentose rings

Nucleotide Bases 2 types of nucleotide bases  Pyrimidines  Purines Pyrimidines – Single ring structure Purines – Double ring structure

DNA & RNA Bonding DNA  G & C form 3 Hydrogen bonds  T & A Form 2 Hydrogen bonds RNA  G & C form 3 Hydrogen bonds  U & A Form 2 Hydrogen bonds

Lipids  Macromolecules made primarily of C & H  Oils  Fats  Waxes

Lipids Water insoluble Fats  solid at room temperature  saturated fatty acid molecules Oils  liquid at room temperature  unsaturated fatty acid molecules

Vitamins A, D, E, K Fat soluble substances Dissolved & stored in fatty tissue

Vitamin A  vision, cell differentiation, bone growth, immune system, white blood cells, membranes, linings  whole eggs, milk, liver  fat-free milk breakfast cereals - fortified  darkly colored fruits and vegetables, margarine, carrots, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, and spinach  Vitamin A from animals is better absorbed than from plants

Vitamin D  Blood calcium & phosphorus levels, cell differentiation, bone mineralization, cell growth  Sunshine, fortified milk, liver, fish, eggs

Vitamin E  Prevents free radicals, immune system, DNA repair, healing wounds  Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals

Vitamin K  Blood clotting, synthesizing the liver protein, bone formation and repair, converting glucose to glycogen, may prevent & help slow osteoporosis  leafy vegetables, cheese and liver, asparagus, coffee, bacon and green tea