Biomolecules The Molecules of Life Photo Credit: © John Conrad/CORBIS

All Organic Compounds (Biomolecules) contain the element Carbon! The Chemistry of Carbon Organic chemistry is the study of all compounds that contain bonds between carbon atoms.

Macromolecules Macromolecules are formed by a process known as POLYMERIZATION the process of converting monomers into polymers Monomers – building blocks of more complex molecules Polymers –many monomers

Dehydration Synthesis Building large molecules while removing water Joining monomers to form polymers

Hydrolysis Adding water to break apart a molecule Breaking polymers into monomers

Four groups of organic compounds found in all living things are: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates – composed of C, H, O What is the function of carbohydrates? Primary source of energy Energy storage Structure and support Proper function of nervous, digestive, circulatory and immune systems

Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in the ratio of 1:2:1 (CH2O) General molecular formula Monomer - Glucose

Carbohydrates-made by plants through photosynthesis Different sizes of carbohydrates: *Monosaccharides – single sugars (C6H12O6) ex. Glucose (the most common sugar), galactose and fructose *Disaccharides – two single sugars joined ex. Lactose & sucrose & maltose *Polysaccharides – 3 or more single sugars joined ex. Cellulose (in cell walls of plants) Starch (stored in plants) Glycogen (stored in animals)

Lipids – C, H, O many more carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms compared to oxygen atoms Lipids are generally not soluble in water. The common categories of lipids are: Fats, oils, and waxes Hormones Steroids Cholesterol Waterproof coverings Cell membrane – lipid bilayer

Lipids Function: store energy long term energy storage some lipids are important parts of biological membranes (cell membrane) and waterproof coverings (cuticle on plants) Not considered true polymers because they are small and the monomers are not repeating: Fat – consist of 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids

Structure of a Lipids - triglycerides Consists of a glycerol and 3 fatty acids fatty acid glycerol

Structure of a Lipids - triglycerides

Saturated and Unsaturated Fats Saturated – contain maximum number of hydrogen atoms unsaturated – contain at least one double bond polyunsaturated – contain several double bonds

Lipids

Proteins – C, H, O, N Held by Peptide bonds Polymers of monomers called amino acids.

Amino Acids: 20 common amino acids General formula for an amino acid -NH2 is amino group -COOH is carboxyl -R group (different for each protein -names always end in -ine Amino acids are the monomers of proteins. All amino acids have an amino group at one end and a carboxyl group at the other end.

The instructions for arranging amino acids into many different proteins are stored in DNA. Protein Molecule Amino Acids Proteins help to carry out chemical reactions, transport small molecules in and out of cells, and fight diseases. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids folded into complex structures.

Polymers of proteins Polypeptide – chains of amino acids joined by peptide bonds

Functions of proteins: Catalysts to control the rate of chemical reactions Structural support and movement Transport & Communication: moves small molecules into or out of cells Help to fight disease

Examples of Proteins: Blood protein is hemoglobin Enzymes (biological catalysts) Skin, ligaments, tendons, bones, hair, muscle, cartilage, fingernails and toenails Antibodies

Nucleic Acids – C, H, O, N, P Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are polymers assembled from individual monomers known as nucleotides.

Nucleic Acids: Monomers Nucleotides consist of three parts: a 5-carbon sugar a phosphate group a nitrogenous base Adenine Thymine Cytosine Guanine Uracil

Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids store and transmit hereditary, or genetic, information. *Genetic Blueprint* Examples and Polymers: ribonucleic acid (RNA) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)