1. Building Blocks of Cells
CH 3 Biomolecules
Building Blocks of Cells
Biomolecules
Made up of carbon
Referred to as organic
Carbon atoms form covalent bonds with other atoms to form complex chains.
4 classes of organic compounds; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

2. Carbohydrates Made of sugars
Contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms (1:2:1)
Monosaccharide (CH2O)n
Used for sources of energy, structural materials, and cellular identification
Examples; chitin, cellulose, fructose, glucose

3. Lipids Includes fats, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes
Are used for storing energy and water barrier
Waxes, surfaces of plants and aquatic bird feathers

4. Proteins
Chains of amino acids that twist and fold into certain shapes that determine what the proteins do
May be involved in; structure, support, movement, communication, transportation, and carrying out chemical reactions.
Pg 57 function of an enzyme

5. Nucleic Acids Long chain of nucleotide units
A nucleotide is made up of three parts: a sugar, a base, and a phosphate group.
Nucleic acids store and transmit hereditary information.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, and ribonucleic acid, or RNA.