1. Molecules of Life
Organic Compounds

2. Molecules of Life
Molecules of life are organic compounds that are made by living cells:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids

3. Organic Compounds Consist primarily of carbon and hydrogen atoms
Carbon atoms bond covalently with up to four other atoms, often in long chains or rings
Carbon can also bond with itself

4. Building Organic Compounds
Cells form complex organic molecules from smaller organic molecules
Simple sugars → carbohydrates
Fatty acids → lipids
Amino acids → proteins
Nucleotides → nucleic acids

5. Carbohydrates – The Most Abundant Ones
Three main types of carbohydrates
Monosaccharides and Disaccharides (simple sugars)
Oligosaccharides (short chains)
Polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates)
Carbohydrate functions
Instant energy sources
Transportable or storable forms of energy
Structural materials

6. Complex Carbohydrates:
Food sources of Carbohydrates:
Vegetables: yams, corn, potatoes
Legumes: peas, beans
Grains: wheat, rice, oats, breads, pasta, barley, rye
Unripe Fruit
Fruit – simple sugars

7. Greasy, Oily – Must Be Lipids
Fats
phospholipids
waxes
Sterols
Characteristics:
Don’t dissolve in water very well
Dissolve in nonpolar substances (other lipids)
Lipids will have one, two, or three fatty acid tails
Saturated- solid at room temperature
Unsaturated- liquid at room temperature

8. Lipid Functions: Insulation Organ cushion Energy storage
Highest caloric value
Flavors food
Makes you feel “full” after eating
Hair and feather protectant
Cellular Structure – phospholipid bilayer

9. Protein Proteins are the result of DNA and RNA (a gene)
Proteins are made from small molecules called AMINO ACIDS
These amino acids are connected by peptide bonds
Those chains will coil and fold to make a 3D shape
The special shape of a protein will determine its function (job)

10. Protein Source and Function
Proteins in food
Protein Function
Protein are used to form the structures of an organism
DNA/ information transfer
Enzymes/catalysts

11. Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids include: Nucleotides, DNA, and RNAs
Nucleotide structure, 3 parts:
Sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogen-containing base

12. Nucleotide Functions:
DNA/RNA contain the information needed (genes) for
Reproduction
Structure
Metabolism
Survival (changes to homeostasis)