1. Chapter 6.4: The Building Blocks of Life
Page 166

2. Organic Chemistry
The element carbon is a component of almost all biological molecules
Life on Earth is considered carbon-based
Organic chemistry – study of compounds containing carbon

3. Macromolecules
Small carbon compounds serve as building blocks for large molecules
Macromolecules are large molecules formed by joining smaller molecules
These large molecules are also called polymers
Polymers are made up of repeating, smaller units called monomers
Polymer = monomer + monomer + monomer + …

4. 4 Types of Macromolecules
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

5. Carbohydrates Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Sugars (glucose, monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides)
Bread, pasta, sugar
Function:
Energy source (short term)
Provide structural support in plant cell walls (cellulose)
Main component in the hard outer shell of insects and shell fish (called chitin)

6. Lipids/Fats Composed of elements carbon and hydrogen Waxes, fats, oils
Composed of fatty acids and glycerol (called a triglyceride)
Main function: long term energy storage
Other examples: phospholipids (cell membrane structure), steroids

7. Proteins Composed of small monomers called amino acids
Amino acids are made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur
Function:
Muscles, skin, hair are all made of proteins
Structural support, transport substances
Communicate signals within cells
Speed up chemical reactions (enzymes)
Control cell growth

8. Nucleic Acids Store and transmit genetic information
Made of small monomers called nucleotides
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorous
Two types: DNA and RNA

9. Review
If an unknown substance found on a meteorite is determined to contain no trace of carbon, can scientists conclude that there is life at the meteorite’s origin?
A polymer is made up of smaller units called …
Another word for a polymer is …
List the elements that are found in carbohydrates