1. Carbon Biochemistry: The macro-molecules of Life

2. 4 major groups of organic macromolecules are found in living things
Carbohydrates (C-H-O 1:2:1 ratio)
Lipids (C-H-O)
Proteins (C-H-O-N)…sometimes S
Nucleic Acids (C-H-O-N-P)

3. What is an organic molecule?
Most carbon containing compounds are classified as organic, with the exception of:
Simple oxides of carbon:
Carbonates
Most organic compounds contain C-H bonds (but Urea doesn’t)

4. Where is carbon on the periodic table?

5. Carbon has 4 valence electrons
Therefore it can have bond with up to 4 other atoms

6. All organic molecules have two parts: The carbon backbone & the functional group
Carbon has 4 valence electrons
Carbon atoms can form single, double, or triple covalent bonds

7. Hydrocarbon chains form the skeleton of many macromolecules
Hydrocarbon backbone
Hydrocarbon chains form the skeleton of many macromolecules

8. What is a functional group?
The components of organic molecules that are most commonly involved in chemical reactions are known as functional groups
A functional group is a group of atoms within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecules

9. Functional Groups
Each functional group behaves consistently from one organic molecule to another
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS give organic molecules their physical properties,their chemical reactivity,  &  solubility in aqueous solutions

10. The Macromolecules of life

11. Macromolecules (but NOT lipids) are POLYMERS
Polymers consist of long chains of repeating units that are either the same or similar to each other (monomers)
The individual units are called monomers
Only 50 common monomers make up the thousands of macromolecules responsible for life
Polymers are distinguished by the different structure of their monomers
Just think how many words you can make out of the 26 letters of the alphabet….

12. Monomer v. Polymer
H2O
A monomer is a single molecular unit. A polymer is a long chain of many monomers.
H2O

13. Making and breaking polymers
Polymers are synthesised from monomers using condensation reactions; when 2 monomers are combined, one water molecule is released
Polymers are broken down into individual monomers using hydrolysis; when a a polymer is broken down after the addition of water

14. Monomer units join together via CONDENSATION REACTIONS

15. Hydrolysis: Breaking apart macromolecules

16. Condensation and Hydrolysis Reactions
Condensation reactions join two sugar molecules
hCondensation and hydrolysis

17. The major macromolecules of life
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Elements they contain
C, H, O
C, H, O, N, (S)
Smaller molecules they are made of
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
Glycerol plus fatty acids
Amino acids
Solubility in water
Simple sugars are soluble
insiluble
May be soluble OR insoluble
Why organisms need them
Easily available energy (17 kJ/g)
Storage of energy (39 kJ/g); insulation; making cell membranes
Making cells; enzymes; immune function; haemoglobin
Some foods that contain them
Bread, cakes, potatoes, rice
Butter, oils, peanuts, fatty meat
Meat, fish, eggs, pulses. Tifu, milk, cheese

18. Carbohydrates (polysaccharides) are formed from monosaccharide monomers
Simple monosaccharides join through condensation reactions to make glycosidic bonds

19. Proteins (polypeptides)
Amino acids form polymers (polypeptides/proteins)
Peptide bonds are formed from condensation reactions

20. Lipids are macromolecules, not polymers…
Ester bonds are formed by condensation reactions

21. Carbohydrates The monomer is called a monosaccharide (simple sugar)
Carbohydrates are soluble in water
It has the formula: a 1:2:1 ratio of C:H:O

22. Carbohydrates The polymer is called a polysaccharide
The bond made by condensation reactions is a glycosidic bond
Examples of polysaccharides include starch, cellulose, chitin

23. Proteins The monomer is called an amino acid
Amino acid structure: NH2 – C-® - COOH
Amino acids differ due to the R (functional) group
The structure of the R-group determines the chemical properties of the amino acid
Proteins can be soluble OR insoluble in water

24. Proteins The polymer is called a polypeptide
The bond formed by a condensation reaction is a peptide bond
Examples of polypeptides include enzymes, keratin, haemoglobin…

25. Lipids
Lipids consist of a glycerol molecule, joined to 2 or three fatty acid molecules by a condensation reaction
The bond formed is an ESTER bond
They are NOT polymers
They are insoluble in water
Glycerol

27. Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Elements they contain
C, H, O
C, H, O, N, (S)
Smaller molecules they are made of
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
Glycerol plus fatty acids
Amino acids
Solubility in water
Simple sugars are soluble
insiluble
May be soluble OR insoluble
Why organisms need them
Easily available energy (17 kJ/g)
Storage of energy (39 kJ/g); insulation; making cell membranes
Making cells; enzymes; immune function; haemoglobin
Some foods that contain them
Bread, cakes, potatoes, rice
Butter, oils, peanuts, fatty meat
Meat, fish, eggs, pulses. Tifu, milk, cheese