Biomolecules WHAT ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE?

Introduction  On the following slides, the yellow sections highlight the main points; summarize the slides in your notebooks.  Underlined words = vocabulary!

Know List what you know about: Carbs Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids What we will learn… The meaning of monomer vs polymer. The structure/function of the 4 biomolecules. Role of enzymes in cells and the body. Learn

Levels of Molecular Organization Atom Element Molecule (2+ atoms) Compound (2+ elements) Cell (Includes both organic & inorganic compounds) The pyramid is organized from the smallest component, the atom, to the smallest living organism, the cell.

Organic Compounds  Organic compounds - contain the element carbon (C) and are found in living things; with four valence electrons, carbon atoms can bond with numerous other atoms to create complex compounds.

Monomers vs Polymers Sketch the imagery to show the difference between monomers and polymers.

Monomers vs Polymers Cont.  The biomolecules found in living things are composed of hundreds of atoms, sometimes more (AKA macromolecules).  Cells create macromolecules by joining smaller molecules in to chains called polymers.  [Greek polys = many, meros = part] - a large molecule composed of identical subunits called monomers.

Carbohydrates Lipids ProteinsNucleic Acids 4 Biomolecules Intro Video

Background Knowledge What types of foods would be categorized as carbohydrates? Turn and talk with your neighbor.

What are carbohydrates?  Contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in 1:2:1 (C:H:O) ratio, used for short-term energy  are made of monomers called monosaccharides [meaning “1” + “sugar”].  Types:  Monosaccharides  Polysaccharides

What is a monosaccharide?  Simple sugars, are easily identified by the sweet taste – note the ring shape of the molecule.  EX Glucose [C 6 H 12 O 6 ]  Other: galactose (milk sugar), fructose (fruit sugar)

What is a polysaccharide?  Complex carbs made of long chains of monosaccharides.  EX Starches (found in roots like potatoes and other tissues in plants)  EX Cellulose (found in plant cell walls) biocoach/images/bioprop/polysacs.gif

Polysaccharides Cont.  Glycogen (found in the liver and muscles of animals)  EX Sucrose (table sugar) is an example of a sugar made of two monosaccharides, a disaccharide.

Knowledge Check Remember that monomers make up polymers. What is the monomer (or subunit) for the complex carb shown? Turn and talk to your neighbor. %20Glucose.jpg

Background Knowledge What types of foods would be categorized as fats? Turn and talk with your neighbor.

What are lipids?  Contain C, H, and O atoms, used for long- term energy storage  Hydrophobic (insoluble in water)  Types:  Unsaturated fats liquid w/ double bonds  Saturated fats solid, unhealthy  Phospholipids Found within the cell membranes  Steroids

Lipid Structure Note the molecular structure “E” shape.

Knowledge Check The fatty acid chain of the lipids is often referred to as a hydrocarbon chain. Why? Turn and talk to your neighbor.

Background Knowledge What types of foods would be considered rich in protein? Turn and talk with your neighbor.

What are proteins?  Contain C, O, H, N and usually S atoms - AKA polypeptides  Made of monomers called amino acids  Needed for essential life’s activities in the body

Structure of a Protein Sketch the imagery to show the structure of a protein.

Structure of an Amino Acid Amino acids are made of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and an “R” group which varies in the different amino acids. structure.jpg

Knowledge Check There are 20 naturally-occurring amino acids, and each one only varies in the structure of the R side chain. Two amino acids are shown in the diagram. What are the R side chains in each? Talk to your neighbor to answer the question.

What are nucleic acids?  Contain H, O, C, N, and P atoms.  Made of monomers called nucleotides  Store genetic information in living things and carry instructions for building proteins  EX DNA  EX RNA

Structure of a Nucleotide Composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. structure.jpg

Knowledge Check Remember that monomers make up polymers. What is the monomer (or subunit) for the nucleic acid shown? Turn and talk to your neighbor.

Chemical Reactions  A process that changes one set of chemicals into another set, recombining the atoms in to different substances. Reactants are the items that you begin with. (the left of the arrow). Products are the items up end up with. (the right of the arrow).

What are enzymes?  A protein that acts as a biological catalyst - they work in cells to speed up chemical reactions.  typically end in – ASE  Attach to specific substrates to produce products

Enzymes Cont.  Factors that can affect enzymes are:

The Lock & Key Model  Specific enzymes will only work on specific substrates; enzymes attach at the “active site” that matches the substrate.  EX Maltase only attaches to the sugar maltose

Video

Know List what you know about: Carbs Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids What we will learn… The meaning of monomer vs polymer. The structure/function of the 4 biomolecules. Role of enzymes in cells and the body. Learn List the things you have learned during this unit.