1. Also called Biomolecules or Organic Molecules
Life Molecules
Also called Biomolecules or Organic Molecules

2. Organic Molecules Most “life” molecules have a backbone of carbon.
Carbon can form 4 bonds so many atoms can bond and branch off.
Many molecules are composed mostly of carbon & hydrogen = Hydrocarbons

3. Building Blocks
Biomolecules may be made of hundreds to millions of atoms!
Large molecules are built from smaller, repeating units.
Monomer =
Polymer =
Small molecular units that make up a polymer.
Long chains of monomers.

4. Monomer & Polymer

5. Life’s Large Polymers Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids
Classified into four main groups
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

6. Carbohydrates STRUCTURE: These are simple sugars.
-Made of: Monosaccharides
These are simple sugars.
-When you put monosaccharides together,
you get: Polysaccharide

7. Function of Carbohydrates:
- A key source of energy for the body.
-They turn into energy for all cells.
Examples of Carbohydrates:
Starch – stored energy in plants
Glycogen – stored energy in animals
Cellulose – structural support in plants

8. Lipids: Fats Monomers: Glycerol & Fatty Acids Polymers: Fat
Energy Storage
Hydrophobic:
“Water Fearing”

9. Lipids: Saturated Fats
Saturated Fat – all fatty acid chains contain max of hydrogen atoms (all single bonds).
Solid at room
temperature.
Contribute to
an unhealthy
diet.

10. Lipids: Unsaturated Fats
Unsaturated Fats – contain less than the maximum number of hydrogen atoms in the fatty acid chains.
Liquid at room temp.
Healthier choice.

11. Lipids: Steroids Testosterone (male hormone) Estrogen (female hormone)
Carbon skeleton forms four fused rings.
Chemical Message
Example:
Testosterone
(male hormone)
Estrogen
(female hormone)
Cholesterol

12. Proteins Body Structures: Hair, Fur, Nails, Muscle.
Monomer: Amino Acid
Polymer: Polypeptide
Examples & Uses:
Body Structures: Hair, Fur, Nails, Muscle.
Long Term Nutrient Storage.
Body Defense – Receptors on Cells
Control Chemical Reactions

13. Let’s Watch! Watch enzyme animations:
75-PL4&feature=related

14. Proteins: Enzymes
Used to speed up chemical reactions in a cell. (lowers the amount of energy needed)
End in “ase”
Protease breaks down proteins
Lipase breaks down fats
Enzymes are catalysts:
Speeds up reaction, can be used over and over again. The reaction does not change it (like a key!)
Acts on a substrate:
The substance that is changed during the reaction.

15. An enzyme lowers the energy needed so that the reaction can work at normal cell temperatures

16. How an Enzyme Works:
Shape of an enzyme only fits particular molecules (substrate)
Active site → where the substrate fits

17. How an Enzyme Works

18. Protein Shape
Proteins are made of chains of amino acids twisted, folded and coiled into a unique shape.
Analogy:
Yarn = string of amino acids
Sweater= protein with a purpose!
The “folds” determine the function.
Denaturation: When proteins
are affected and lose their shape.
Ex: Frying an Egg