1. The Building Blocks of Life
Biomolecules
The Building Blocks of Life

2. Biomolecules are Organic Molecules
Molecules containing Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.
2. They make up living organisms Examples: Methane (CH4) Glucose (C6H12O6) are all organic molecules
Carbon is the central atom and will bond covalently because of the 4 valence electrons (outermost shell) total of 6 electrons.
CHONP

3. Elements
Lipids - Primarily C, H and some O Carbohydrates – C, H, O in a 1:2:1 ratio Proteins – C, H, O, N Nucleic Acids – C, H, O, N, P

4. Biomolecules
Basic Molecule: Proteins, Carbohydrates (sugars), Lipids (Fats), Nucleic Acid (DNA, RNA)
Macromolecule: Large molecules of the above that can be broken down.
Ex. Starch into sugar / polysaccharide (starch) into monosaccharide (glucose)

5. Biomolecules with Examples
Monomers: The smaller molecules that are the building blocks of macro molecules
Carbohydrate – sugar or, monosaccharide ex.’s - glucose, galactose, fructose
Protein – amino acids ex.’s – meat, poultry, eggs, beans, soy, nuts, ENZYMES
Lipid – glycerol & 3 fatty acids ex.’s – fats, oils, waxes, Cell Membranes
Nucleic acids – nucleotides ex.’s –
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid,
RNA = ribonucleic acid

6. Monomers / Polymers continued
2) Polymer: a chain of monomers
Carbohydrate – starch, glycogen, cellulose/Polysaccharides
Lipids – none
Proteins – protein / polypeptide chain
Nucleic Acid – DNA, RNA

7. Carbohydrate Simple vs. Complex sugars Simple sugars: Monosaccharide:
“One” “Sugar”
We will focus on glucose: C6H1206
The basic/main source of organism energy “quick energy”

8. Simple Sugars:Carbohydrates
Disaccharide
“Two” “Sugars”
Examples:
Table sugar: sugars=
Glucose + Fructose
Maltose=
Glucose + Glucose
Lactose=
Glucose + Galactose

9. Complex Sugars: Polysaccharide
“many sugars” Complex Sugar.
Functions: Cells use them for energy and cell wall structure  cellulose.
They allow organisms to gradually use energy since it is stored in large chains.

10. Complex Sugars: Polysaccharide
Starch : has thousands of glucoses (sugars) bonded together
………Thousands

11. Complex Sugars: Polysaccharides
Cellulose: Makes up the walls of plant cells. Also made from glucose.
Ruminants (cattle, sheep) can digest both cellulose and glucose.
Humans can digest starch, but not cellulose
WHY??????????

12. Polysaccharides
Glycogen: Animals store carbohydrates (glucose) in the form of glycogen; similar in form to starch. Why????
This is why…
This is our reserve energy
Stored in liver and muscles
We do not want to lose our carbs all at once!!

13. Proteins Made of Amino Acid Chains
Amino Acids are bonded through a peptide bond

14. Each ball is
An Amino
Acid.
Bonded by
Peptide
Bonds
There are 20
Amino Acids

15. There are 20 different occurring amino acids

16. Protein Function Building material: muscle, bones, hair, fingernails
Enzymes: Control rate of chemical reaction in the cells and body (catalyst)
Immunity: make up antibodies
Other specific functions such as Hemoglobin: carry O2 in red blood cells
Regulate cell processes

17. Examples of Protein Structures The shape of protein is important to its function.
Enzyme: Quaternary Structure

18. Lipids (Fats)
A common lipid is made of 3 fatty acids chains connected to a glycerol

19. Lipids (Fats) Glycerol: a type of alcohol. The back bone of Fats.
3 Fatty acid chains: Long chains of C & H
Saturated=as many C & H bonded as possible, single bond, (Solid at Room Temp.)
Unsaturated= C and C bonds, must have at least one double bond (usually Liquid at Room Temp.) Generally good for you: fish oil, avocado, olive oil, red meat, HDL vs LDL

20. Lipids (Fats) Functions
The main energy storing molecule because of the high # of carbon to carbon bonds. Why are bonds important?
…because they Store chemical energy
Lipids store more energy than any other biomolecule
9 Cal/gram = lipids
4 Cal/gram = carbohydrates and proteins

21. Lipids (Fats) Functions
Insulate
Main molecule of the Cell membrane
Make up some hormones (testosterone)

22. ?Questions? What type of bond connects Amino Acids?
What are lipids composed of?
What are three of the macromolecules of carbohydrates? What is the sugar subunit?
What are the four types of elements that make up biomolecules?

23. Enzymes
All enzymes are proteins but… Enzymes act as a catalyst by speeding up chemical reactions. All enzymes are catalysts but…

24. Enzymes
Enzymes – ase Specific and depend on temperature and pH to work efficiently…otherwise they will denature.

25. Enzymes are protein catalysts that carry out the chemical reactions of metabolism. All chemical reactions require activation energy to break chemical bonds and begin the reaction. Enzymes lower the barriers that normally prevent chemical reactions from occurring by decreasing the required activation energy.