1. MACROMOLECULES
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

2. Macromolecules
Living things are made of mostly the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosporus, and Sulfur (CHONPS) with a few other elements in small amounts.
These create four key building blocks of life called “macromolecules”. Each of the macromolecules performs a different function in the body and is structurally different.
All macromolecules are polymers (large structures) usually made of monomers (repeating smaller pieces)

3. Macromolecules The four building blocks of ALL life are…
Carbohydrates: for structure and energy
Proteins: for structure, function, and performance
Lipids: for insulation, energy storage, and waterproofing
Nucleic Acids: for genetic instructions
All living things (no matter how different they seem) contain these same four structures. Note: this is evidence for evolution.

4. Carbohydrates Monomer – Monosaccharide (aka a single sugar)
Polymer – polysaccharide (aka starch)
Look for –rings of CHO with 1:2:1 ratio (ex- C6H12O6)
Uses – main source of energy and can be used to build structures (especially in plants)
Test – Benedict’s reagent turns orange with sugar; Iodine turns black with starch

5. Examples of Carbohydrates

6. Examples of Carbohydrates

7. Lipids (fats)
Monomer/Polymer – None. Each type has a unique structure.
Look for – Capital “E” shape OR a long C-H chain
Uses – store extra energy (fat), waterproof (oil and wax), or insulation (blubber)
Test –Sudan Red stains lipids dark red

8. Lipid Examples

9. Lipid Examples

10. Proteins
Uses – Almost everything from digesting food (enzymes) to coloring your eyes (structural) (You are basically one big walking protein)
Test – Biuret’s reagent turns dark purple in the presence of protein
Monomer – amino acids (20 different kinds, you get them from food or your body makes them)
Polymer – called a polypeptide chain (string of amino acids) at first, it folds into the final protein structure
Look for – the “amino head”

11. Protein Example

12. Protein Example

13. Protein Example

14. Protein Example

15. Protein Example

16. Nucleic Acids (DNA or RNA)
Monomer – Nucleotides (made of one phosphate, one sugar, and one nitrogen base)
Polymer - DNA or RNA
Look for – P for (phosphorus) OR a helix shape
Uses – genetic info; instructions for how to make proteins, carbs, and/or lipids
Test – No test

17. Nucleic Acid Examples

18. Nucleic Acid Examples