1. Fun with Biomolecules (Macromolecules)
Molecules of Life
Fun with Biomolecules (Macromolecules)

2. Biochemistry Terms
Biomolecule – any molecule produced by a living organism.
Macromolecule – when smaller molecules join together to form a larger more complex molecule.
Polyunsaturated fat

3. Important Macromolecules
There are four types of macromolecules that make up all living organisms:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

4. Elements found in the four macromolecules:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
These three elements are found in all four
carbon
hydrogen
oxygen

5. How they are made & Broken Down:
Monomers-simplest, one unit building blocks.
Polymers-multiunit, polymers are made of monomers.
Polymers are made using a process known as dehydration synthesis (removes a water molecule).
Polymers are broken down using a process known as hydrolysis (“breaks” or lyses a water molecule and “adds” it).

6. Carbohydrates

7. Carbohydrates
Structure:
Elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
CHO
Subunits: Monosaccharides
Form a RING
Function: Quick energy…their bonds store a lot of energy!

8. Examples-Simple Simple = Monosaccharides (C6H12O6) Glucose from plants
Monomer-simplest unit
Simple = Monosaccharides (C6H12O6)
Glucose from plants
Fructose from fruits
Galactose from milk
Glucose Fructose

9. Example-Complex Complex = Disaccharides (C12H24O12) – two rings
Polymer-larger units made of monomers
Complex = Disaccharides (C12H24O12) – two rings
Sucrose = glucose & fructose
Lactose = glucose & galactose
Maltose = glucose & glucose
Sucrose
Lactose

10. Example-Very Complex Very Complex=Polysaccharides – many rings
Polymer-larger units made of monomers
Very Complex=Polysaccharides – many rings
Starch is stored in plants (grains & potatoes)
Cellulose in plant cell walls & wood
Glycogen stored in animal livers & muscles
Cellulose

12. Lipids CHO Structure: Function:
Elements-carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms
CHO
Subunits: glycerol and fatty acids (and sometimes a phosphate)
Arranged in CHAINS
Function:
Better for storing energy-more bonds than carbohydrates.

13. Lipid Types Fats = energy storage (cooking oil, butter)
Examples:
Fats = energy storage (cooking oil, butter)
Steroids = hormones & cholesterol
Waxes = protective coatings (ear wax and cuticle of plant leaves)
Phospholipids = important component of the cell membrane

14. Proteins CHON Structure: Functions:
Elements-carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms
CHON
Subunits: amino acids
Functions:
Structural proteins-building blocks of cells
Globular proteins-
Enzymes
Messenger and transport proteins (cell membrane)

15. Generalized Amino Acid
There are 20 different types of amino acids and they can form new proteins based upon their order and the number of them present in a protein chain.
Generalized Amino Acid

17. Nucleic Acids DNA and RNA
Structure:
Elements-carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
CHONP
Subunits: nucleotides
Function:
Control genetic information

18. Types of Nucleic Acids There are two types of nucleic acids:
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
codes for genes
RNA (ribonucleic acid)
transfers information

19. Any Questions?