Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

Focus on: Elements in each large biological molecule How these molecules are linked and unlinked Examples and functions of each type of molecule

Macromolecules Large molecules formed by joining many subunits together. Also known as “polymers”.

Monomer A building block of a polymer.

Condensation Synthesis or Dehydration Synthesis The chemical reaction that joins monomers into polymers.

Dehydration synthesis Covalent bonds are formed by the removal of a water molecule between the monomers.

Hydrolysis Reverse of condensation synthesis. Hydro- water Lysis - to split Breaks polymers into monomers by adding water.

Four Main Types Of Macromolecules or Large Biological Molecules Carbohydrates Lipids Protein Nucleic acids

For each Macromolecule know the following: Elements it contains Monomer units and structures Examples Uses or roles

Carbohydrates Used for fuel, building materials, and receptors. Made of C,H,O General formula is CH2O C:O ratio is 1:1

Types Of Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Disaccharides Oligosaccharides Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides Mono - single Saccharide - sugar Simple sugars. Can be in linear or ring forms. 3 to 7 carbons.

Examples Glucose Galactose Ribose Fructose

- OSE Word ending common for many carbohydrates.

Disaccharides Sugar formed by joining two monosaccharides Double amount of C

Examples Maltose = glucose + glucose Lactose = glucose + galactose Sucrose = glucose + fructose

Oligosaccharides 2 - 10 joined simple sugars. Used in cell membranes. Don’t need to know examples

Polysaccharides Many joined simple sugars. Used for storage or structure. Examples: Starch Cellulose Glycogen

a glucose and b glucose

Starch Made of 1-4 linkages of a glucose. Linkage makes the molecule form a helix. Fuel storage in plants.

a glucose

Cellulose Made of 1-4 linkages of b glucose. Linkage makes the molecule form a straight line. Used for structure in plant cell walls.

b glucose

Comment Most organisms can digest starch (1- 4 a linkage), but very few can digest cellulose (1- 4 b linkage). Another example of the link between structure and function.

Glycogen “Animal starch” Similar to starch, but has more 1-6 linkages or branches. Found in the liver and muscle cells.

Starch Glycogen

Lipids Diverse hydrophobic molecules Made of C,H,O No general formula C:O ratio is very high in C Not strictly speaking a macromolecule like the others

Fats and Oils Fats - solid at room temperature. Oils - liquid at room temperature.

Fats and Oils Made of two kinds of smaller molecules. Fatty Acids Glycerol

Fatty Acids A long carbon chain (12-18 C) with a -COOH (acid) on one end and a -CH3 (fat) at the other.

Acid Fat

Triglycerides Most fats have 3 fatty acids attached to the glycerol

Saturated Fats Unsaturated Fats Saturated - no double bonds. Unsaturated - one or more C=C bonds. Can accept more Hydrogens. Double bonds cause “kinks” in the molecule’s shape.

Question Why do fats usually contain saturated fatty acids and oils usually contain unsaturated fatty acids? The double bond pushes the molecules apart, lowering the density, which lowers the melting point.

Fats Differ in which fatty acids are used. Used for energy storage, cushions for organs, insulation.

Question ? Which has more energy, a kg of fat or a kg of starch? Fat - there are more C-H bonds which provide more energy per mass.

Phospholipids Similar to fats, but have only two fatty acids. The third -OH of glycerol is joined to a phosphate containing molecule.

Result Phospholipids have a hydrophobic tail, but a hydrophilic head. Self-assembles into bilayers, an important part of cell membranes.

Steroids Lipids with four fused rings. Differ in the functional groups attached to the rings. Examples: cholesterol sex hormones

Proteins The molecular tools of the cell. Made of C,H,O,N, and sometimes S. No general formula.

Proteins Polypeptide chains of Amino Acids linked by peptide bonds.

Uses Of Proteins Structure Enzymes Antibodies Transport Movement Receptors Hormones

Amino Acids All have a Carbon with four attachments: -COOH (acid) -NH2 (amine) -H -R (some other side group)

R groups 20 different kinds: Nonpolar - 9 AA Polar - 6 AA Electrically Charged Acidic - 2 AA Basic - 3 AA

Amino Acids

Amino Acids

R groups Contain the S when present in a protein. Cysteine or Cys Methionine or Met

R Groups The properties of the R groups determine the properties of the protein.

Polypeptide Chains Formed by dehydration synthesis between the carboxyl group of one AA and the amino group of the second AA. Produce a backbone of: (N-C-C)X

Levels Of Protein Structure Organizing the polypeptide into its 3-D functional shape. Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

Primary Sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain. Peptide bonds

Secondary 3-D structure formed by bonding between parts of the peptide backbone. Hydrogen bonding Two main secondary structures: a helix pleated sheets

Tertiary Bonding between the R groups. Examples: hydrophobic interactions ionic bonding Disulfide bridges (covalent bond)

Quaternary When two or more polypeptides unite to form a functional protein. No specific bonds Example: hemoglobin

Is Protein Structure Important?

Denaturing Of A Protein Events that cause a protein to lose structure (and function). Example: pH shifts high salt concentrations heat

Chaperone Proteins Large protein complexes that help fold other proteins into their correct shape. Often used when cells are stressed to keep proteins intact and functioning.

Comment Many other amino acids are possible (change the R group) Whole new group of proteins with new properties can be made Genetic engineering can use bacteria to make these new proteins

Nucleic Acids Informational polymers Made of C,H,O,N and P No general formula Examples: DNA and RNA

Nucleic Acids Polymers of nucleotides Nucleotides have three parts: nitrogenous base pentose sugar phosphate

Nitrogenous Bases Rings of C and N The N atoms tend to take up H+ (base). Two types: Pyrimidines (single ring) Purines (double rings)

Pentose Sugar 5-C sugar Ribose - RNA Deoxyribose – DNA RNA and DNA differ in a –OH group on the 2nd carbon.

DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Makes up genes. Genetic information for life.

RNA Ribonucleic Acid. Structure and protein synthesis. Genetic information for a few viruses only.

DNA and RNA More will be said about DNA and RNA in future lessons.

Summary Role of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis For each macromolecule, know the following: Elements and monomers Structures Functions