1. …so what is the what you eat made of?
You are what you eat…
Ask students what the food they eat on a daily basis is made of. After a discussion, explain that all foods are composed of different organic molecules which are used to carry out essential cellular processes (cell repair, growth, etc.)
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…so what is the what you eat made of?

2. The Four Organic Molecules
Essential Questions:
What is “Organic?”
What are the 4 major Organic Compounds?
How are they made?
What are they used for?

3. Organic Molecules make up all organisms
Explain that the organic molecules present in an organism through eating and digestion are used to build cellular structures (cell membranes, organelles) as well as repair damaged cells and tissues. Explain that all of the diverse structures of different organisms are made of the same basic molecules.
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4. What does “Organic” Mean?
In Biology, organic means “relating to organisms.”
(NOT food grown without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, or other industrial chemicals)
All organic molecules contain
covalently bonded Carbon.

5. What does “Organic” Mean?
Carbon cycles through all living things through the processes of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, death, and decomposition.
We’ll talk more about the Carbon Cycle in a few weeks!

6. Why Carbon is so Awesome...
How many bonds/shared electrons can a Carbon atom make?
Carbon can bond to other carbon atoms, which gives carbon the ability to form chains that are almost unlimited in length.
These carbon-carbon bonds can be single, double, or triple.
The chains can be straight, branched, or even ring-shaped.
Therefore, carbon is unique in that it can form millions of different large and complex structures.
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7. How are the Four Organic Macromolecules Formed?
Polymerization: small units (monomers) are joined together to form large units (polymers.)
Dehydration synthesis: joins molecules by removing a molecule of water.
Hydrolysis: breaks apart molecules by adding water (the opposite process)

8. What are the four organic molecules?
Lipids
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids
Explain to students: Organic molecules are molecules that are normally found in or produced in living systems. They typically consist of carbon atoms in rings or long chains where other atoms (hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) are attached. Explain that these molecules make up all organisms

9. What is in a cheeseburger?
Nutrition Facts (Big ‘N Tasty at McDonalds):
Total Fat: 29 grams
Saturated Fat: 9 grams
Carbohydrates: 41 grams
Protein: 24 grams
Ask students: What organic molecules do you think can be found in a cheeseburgers?
Click to show nutrition facts
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10. Which part of the cheeseburger has the most carbohydrates?
Ask students: Which part of the cheeseburger has the most carbohydrates?
(Students should be familiar with this because of low carb diets)
Click to reveal the bun.
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11. Carbohydrates Glucose
Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen in a 1:2:1 Ratio.
Used for short term energy storage (quick energy!) and structural support
Ending “-ose” = sugar
How many sugars?
Examples
1 sugar
Monosaccharide
Monomer
Plants: glucose fructose
Animals: galactose (milk)
2 sugars
Disaccharide
Polymer
Plants: sucrose, maltose
Animals: lactose (milk)
3+ sugars
Polysaccharide
Plants: starch, cellulose
Animals: glycogen

12. Why Carbohydrates? Many animals store extra sugar as glycogen.
Glycogen stored in your muscles supplies energy for movement.
Glycogen stored in your liver is released when the glucose (sugar) in your blood runs low.
Recall: What is this an example of?
Homeostasis!
Plants store excess sugar as starch.
Plants also make cellulose, a strong, rigid fiber used for support.

13. Why does the bun have carbohydrates?
Explain to students: The edible bran of the wheat plant is the seed. Seeds require carbohydrates for the nourishment of the baby plant and energy required for growing so carbohydrates are abundant in the seed. The carbohydrates are not only used for energy. In plants, carbohydrates are also used to make plant structures. Carbohydrates can be bound together to make different molecules that make up other structures of the plant. Key concept: Seedling plants require carbohydrates to grow just as the energy we get from consuming them helps us grow.
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14. Why does the bun have carbohydrates?
How do plants get the carbon they needs to form these carbohydrates?
Explain to students: The edible bran of the wheat plant is the seed. Seeds require carbohydrates for the nourishment of the baby plant and energy required for growing so carbohydrates are abundant in the seed. The carbohydrates are not only used for energy. In plants, carbohydrates are also used to make plant structures. Carbohydrates can be bound together to make different molecules that make up other structures of the plant. Key concept: Seedling plants require carbohydrates to grow just as the energy we get from consuming them helps us grow.
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15. Why does the bun have carbohydrates?
How do plants get the carbon they needs to form these carbohydrates?
Explain to students: The edible bran of the wheat plant is the seed. Seeds require carbohydrates for the nourishment of the baby plant and energy required for growing so carbohydrates are abundant in the seed. The carbohydrates are not only used for energy. In plants, carbohydrates are also used to make plant structures. Carbohydrates can be bound together to make different molecules that make up other structures of the plant. Key concept: Seedling plants require carbohydrates to grow just as the energy we get from consuming them helps us grow.
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16. What other part of the Big N’ Tasty is composed of carbohydrates?
Pose question: Lettuce is another plant, why is it not considered a good source of carbohydrates?
-Click to reveal cellulose structure and label.
Cellulose is a polysaccharide common in green plants. The human body can’t break down cellulose for energy so it is not treated as a source of carbohydrates. When you eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, you do not gain a lot of energy. Show that cellulose is made of bonded glucose molecules.
Ask students where cellulose came from. They should realize the connection from slide 8.
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Cellulose picture:

17. What other part of the Big N’ Tasty is composed of carbohydrates?
Pose question: Lettuce is another plant, why is it not considered a good source of carbohydrates?
-Click to reveal cellulose structure and label.
Cellulose is a polysaccharide common in green plants. The human body can’t break down cellulose for energy so it is not treated as a source of carbohydrates. When you eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, you do not gain a lot of energy. Show that cellulose is made of bonded glucose molecules.
Ask students where cellulose came from. They should realize the connection from slide 8.
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Cellulose picture:
Cellulose!

18. Which part of the cheeseburger is the best source of protein?
Allow students to answer before showing the picture.
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19. Proteins
Proteins are present in every cell, tissue and organ in our bodies.
These proteins are constantly being broken down and replaced.
Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur
Provide structure for:
cells, bones, muscles, tissues, organs, hormones…most everything in the body!
Special Function: Proteins are responsible for cell metabolism (via enzymes)

20. Proteins
The protein in the food we eat is digested (broken down) into amino acids that are later used to build and replace other proteins in our bodies.
Monomers = amino acids
Polymers = proteins
When the amino acids join, they form a polymer called a polypeptide.
The monomers in an amino acid are held together by peptide bonds.
Proteins can be destroyed by extreme heat (fever) = denature

21. Protein Structure Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
There are 20 essential amino acids
All amino acids have the same Amino group and carboxyl groups, but each amino acid has its own unique R- group. Only 20 amino acids can combine in different arrangements to form all of the many different kinds of proteins in our bodies!
Shape is very important; if a protein is not the right shape, it will not work or only have partial function!

22. Why does the meat have so much protein?
Explain to students: Beef comes from the muscles of the cow. Muscle cells are packed with protein machinery that makes small motions that create larger muscle motions.
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23. Which part of the cheeseburger is a source of fat?
Allow students to answer. Click to reveal cheese.
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24. What is fat? Fats are a type of lipid.
Lipids are hydrophobic (water-fearing) organic molecule including fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids and steroids.
Emphasize that fats are a part of the broader organic molecule category lipids. All lipids are hydrophobic. In the picture of the molecule, make note of the long carbon chains that are characteristic of lipids.
Image sources:
Lard:
Triglyceride:

25. Lipids
Long chains with lots of Carbon and Hydrogen (long chains), but little or no oxygen
Monomers: 1 glycerol & 3 fatty acid chains
Polymer :lipid
Used for…
Long term energy storage
Protection
Insulation
Waterproofing
Cell Membranes
Chemical Messengers (steroids)

26. Lipids in membranes
Explain: The cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer which serves as a barrier. The fluidity of the membrane allows for movement of proteins about the membrane as well as the movement of vesicles into and out of the cell. Lipids also serve in membranes surrounding cellular organelles. Highlight that the individual lipids aggregate into the larger bilayer structure.
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27. Are lipids important in a diet?
Explain: Lipids in cell membranes are important to cells that divide quickly such as skin cells and hair cells, lipids are present in hormones which are important to signalling between cells, adipose (fat) tissue is important as a cushion for organs
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28. Lipids come in two flavors…
Saturated: Single Bonds
Animal Fats
Harder to digest
Solids at room temperature
Holds as many Hydrogen atoms as possible
Unsaturated: Double Bonds
Vegetable Oils
Easier to digest
Liquids at room Temperature
Does not hold as many hydrogen atoms as possible

29. Lipids come in two flavors…
Saturated: Single Bonds
Animal Fats
Harder to digest
Solids at room temperature
Holds as many Hydrogen atoms as possible
Unsaturated: Double Bonds
Vegetable Oils
Easier to digest
Liquids at room Temperature
Does not hold as many hydrogen atoms as possible
Your Turn! Make a quick hypothesis to why Unsaturated Fats are easier to break down (thus healthier for you) than Saturated Fats!
It is easier for your body to break double bonds than single bonds due to the number of electrons. Aka, it’s easier to steal 1 electron from Carbon when it is sharing two versus just that one! (Like borrowing money!)

30. Common Misconceptions: Lipids – Good & Bad Cholesterol

31. Why are lipids so abundant in cheese?
Allow students to answer question.
Explain: Cheese is made of the milk of various animals (e.g. cows, goats, sheep). Milk is meant to feed the animals and give them everything that they need to grow. In the process of making cheese these organic molecules such as lipids and proteins (also abundant in cheese) are concentrated into a solid form that contains a high amount of both lipids and proteins.
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32. What is a nucleic acid?
Explain: All DNA and RNA are made of the same 5 nucleic acids: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Uracil, and Cytosine. The structures of these all include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous
Think Pair Share: Students should discuss with a partner what makes different peoples’ DNA different. They should come up with the answer that the different nucleotides are arranged in different orders.
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33. What is a nucleic acid? DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Explain: All DNA and RNA are made of the same 5 nucleic acids: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Uracil, and Cytosine. The structures of these all include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous
Think Pair Share: Students should discuss with a partner what makes different peoples’ DNA different. They should come up with the answer that the different nucleotides are arranged in different orders.
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DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid

34. How do nucleic acids relate to the cheeseburger?
DNA  RNA  Proteins!
DNA
Is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.
Explain: The DNA transcribes into RNA which is then translated into proteins. These proteins are the proteins present in the hamburger meat. The DNA is also present in lettuce on the cheeseburger, because plants have DNA, too.

35. Nucleic Acids
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and two Phosphorus atoms arranged in 3 groups (monomers)
Used for storing and transmitting cellular information in a code called DNA or RNA.

36. Nucleic Acids Monomers: Polymer – Nucleotide Nitrogen Base
A, G, C, T or U
5-Carbon Simple Sugar
Deoxyribose (DNA)
Ribose (RNA)
Phosphate group
Polymer – Nucleotide

37. Your turn! What kind of macromolecules are the Lady and the Tramp feasting on?
Open Discussion: In spaghetti can the students find what organic molecules are present and why in the different parts of spaghetti.
Results:
-Meatballs: protein
-Pasta sauce: carbs, protein, lipids (not a good source of any of the molecules, but has a little bit of everything)
-Noodles: carbs
-Cheese: lipids
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38. Organic molecules are the building blocks of life
Ask question: So how do organic molecules in the diet relate to us?
Explain: The molecules from the broken down food will be used for growth and tissue repair.
Explain: When food is digesting, it is broken down into these basic organic molecules. The molecules are then transported through the bloodstream to locations where that particular molecule is needed. Even the DNA in your body is composed of the recycled DNA from what you ate (ex: the nucleic acids present in hamburger meat will be used for repairing your DNA!)
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They are broken down into monomers, then rebuilt into polymers, then broken down again, then rebuilt again! And so life goes on…

39. Your turn! What kind of macromolecules did you/will you eat today?
Open Discussion: In pizza can the students find what organic molecules are present and why in the different parts of pizza.
Think-Pair-Share: Where are the organic molecules of the pizza after they have eaten the pizza?
Results:
-Pepperoni: protein, (lipids)
-Cheese: Lipids, (protein)
-Crust: carbs
-Sauce: has all of them, but not a major source of any of them
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