1. THE MOLECULES OF LIFE

2. ORGANIC MOLECULES FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES:
carbohydrates: fuel & building material
lipids: fats & oils
proteins: perform most cell functions
nucleic acids: information storage

3. CARBON IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF ORGANIC MOLECULES

4. ORGANIC vs. INORGANIC
Carbon based molecules are called organic molecules (primary exception is CO2)
Non-carbon based molecules—water, oxygen, and ammonia (NH4) are inorganic molecules.

5. Atomic Structure of Carbon
Carbon atoms can form four bonds
Connecting point for other atoms in four directions
Can produce endless variety of carbon skeletons that can bond with carbon or with other elements

6. CARBON SKELETONS

7. CARBOHYDRATES PROVIDE FUEL AND BUILDING MATERIAL

8. CARBOHYDRATES ARE MADE UP OF SUGAR MOLECULES
Sugars contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the following ratio:
1 carbon : 2 hydrogen : 1 oxygen
Molecular formula of any carbohydrate is a multiple of the basic formula CH2O
Glucose (primary energy source for all cells) is C6H12O6

9. HOW CELLS USE SUGARS Main fuel supply for cellular work Other uses:
- Provide raw material to make other
organic molecules such as fats
- Used to make energy stockpiles
- Serve as building materials

10. LIPIDS INCLUDE FATS AND STEROIDS

11. LIPIDS
Commonly known as fats and oils

12. FUNCTIONS OF LIPIDS
Act as a boundary—they are a major component of cell membranes
Circulate in the body acting as chemical signals to cells—some are hormones
Used to store energy in the body
Act to cushion and insulate the body

13. PROTEINS PERFORM MOST FUNCTIONS IN CELLS

14. FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS Form structures—hair, fur, muscles
Provide long-term nutrient storage
Act as chemical signals—hormones
Perform most cell functions

15. NUCLEIC ACIDS STORE INFORMATION IN DNA AND RNA

16. FUNCTIONS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS
Form DNA and RNA
Long chains of molecules (6 Billion in humans)
Controls the functions of the cells and is responsible for passing on inherited traits