BIOMOLECULES

Biologically Important Molecules  Biomolecules are biologically important molecules.

DEFINITIONS  Biomolecules are molecules found in living things.  Biomolecules are also called  organic compounds because they contain the element carbon and  macromolecules because they are large molecules.

DEFINITIONS CONT’D  Monomer – one unit  Polymer – many repeating units

THE FOUR BIOMOLECULES  Carbohydrates  Proteins  Lipids  Nucleic acids

CARBOHYDRATES  Monomer: monosaccharide (glucose)  Polymers: disaccharide (sucrose) polysaccharide (starch, cellulose)  Function: store energy, building blocks for other molecules  Found in: potatoes, bread, fruit, vegetables, soda

Carbohydrate Monomer - Glucose

PROTEINS  Monomer: amino acid (20)  Polymer: Polypeptide  Functions: form bones and muscle, transport substances into and out of the cell, movement, protection against disease, to speed up chemical reactions  Found in: meat, legumes, nuts, diary products

Protein Monomer – Amino Acid

LIPIDS  Monomers: Glycerol plus fatty acids  Polymers: Fats, waxes, oils, steroids  Functions: stores large amounts of energy, provides insulation, solubility of fats, and waterproofing  Found in: red meat, cheese, dairy, potato chips

Lipid Monomer – Glycerol + fatty acids Fatty acid Glycerol

NUCLEIC ACIDS  Monomer: nucleotide  Polymer: DNA and RNA  Function: carries hereditary information (DNA), carries the instructions for the making of proteins (RNA)  Found in: all cells

Nucleic Acid Monomer -Nucleotide

DNARNA

Enzymes

ENZYMES ARE PROTEINS  Chemical reactions break and form in reactants to form new bonds in products. CO 2 + H 2 O → H 2 CO 3  Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the energy needed to get the reaction started (activation energy).activation energy

ENZYMES LOWER ACTIVATION ENERGY

ENZYMES The shape of the enzyme must match the shape of the substrate in order for the enzyme to work, like a key must fit a lock.

ENZYMES  A change in pH or high temperatures will change the shape of the enzyme, which causes the enzyme not to work. No longer a lock and key fit.

LIFE WITHOUT ENZYMES Without enzymes, chemical reactions in living things would occur too slowly. Living things would die without them.