1. KEY CONCEPT Carbon-based molecules are the foundation of life.

2. Carbon atoms have unique bonding properties.
Carbon forms covalent bonds with up to four other atoms, including other carbon atoms.
Carbon-based molecules have three general types of structures.
straight chain
branched chain
ring

3. Many carbon-based molecules are made of many small subunits bonded together.
Monomers are the individual subunits.
Polymers are made of many monomers.

4. Four main types of carbon-based molecules are found in living things.
Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

5. Four main types of carbon-based molecules are found in living things.
Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Carbohydrates include sugars and starches.
Monosaccharides are simple sugars.
Polysaccharides include starches, cellulose, and glycogen.

6. Questions
Contrast monomer and polymer
Describe the relationship between a carbohydrate and a monosaccharide
List the elements that make up a carbohydrate.
What is the main difference between glucose and starch?

7. Carbohydrates can be broken down to provide energy for cells.
Some carbohydrates are part of cell structure.
Polymer (starch)
Starch is a polymer of glucose monomers that often has a branched structure.
Polymer (cellulose)
Cellulose is a polymer of glucose monomers that has a straight, rigid structure
monomer

8. Many contain carbon chains called fatty acids.
Lipids are nonpolar molecules that include fats, oils, and cholesterol.
Many contain carbon chains called fatty acids.
Fats and oils contain fatty acids bonded to glycerol.
Triglyceride

9. Lipids have several different functions.
broken down as a source of energy
make up cell membranes
used to make hormones

10. Fats and oils have different types of fatty acids.
saturated fatty acids
unsaturated fatty acids

11. Phospholipids make up all cell membranes.
Polar phosphate “head”
Nonpolar fatty acid “tails”
Phospholipid

12. Proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers.
Twenty different amino acids are used to build proteins in organisms.

13. Proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers.
Twenty different amino acids are used to build proteins in organisms.
Amino acids differ in side groups, or R groups.

14. Proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers.
Twenty different amino acids are used to build proteins in organisms.
Amino acids differ in side groups, or R groups.
Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds.

15. Proteins differ in the number and order of amino acids.
Amino acids interact to give a protein its shape.
hydrogen bond
Hemoglobin
Incorrect amino acids change a protein’s structure and function.

16. Questions
What does “Proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers mean?”

17. Nucleic acids are polymers of monomers called nucleotides.

18. Nucleic acids are polymers of monomers called nucleotides.
Nucleotides are made of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogen base.
A phosphate group
nitrogen-containing molecule, called a base
deoxyribose (sugar)

19. Nucleic acids are polymers of monomers called nucleotides.
Nucleotides are made of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogen base.
DNA stores genetic information.
DNA
RNA builds proteins.
RNA

20. Questions
A starch/cellulose is a polymer of what?
A protein is a polymer of what?
A nucleic acid is a polymer of what?
What elements do all of these things have in common?

21. A molecule of glucose is formed as it stores some of the energy captured from sunlight.
carbon dioxide molecules enter the Calvin cycle
energy is added and carbon molecules are rearranged
a high-energy three-carbon molecule leaves the cycle

22. A molecule of glucose is formed as it stores some of the energy captured from sunlight.
two three-carbon molecules bond to form a sugar
remaining molecules stay in the cycle

23. Questions
What is the main product of photosynthesis?
What is a by product of photosynthesis?
What are some of the reactants of photosynthesis?
What are some of the molecules that can and are assembled from the main product and by products of photosynthesis?

24. Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on students constructing explanations for how sugar molecules are formed through photosynthesis and the components of the reaction (i.e., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen). This hydrocarbon backbone is used to make amino acids and other carbon-based molecules that can be assembled (anabolism) into larger molecules (such as proteins or DNA).