Macromolecules

Life: Small Picture to Big Picture Macromolecules

What are Macromolecules? Large molecules that are made up of smaller molecules. They make up cells and their internal structures. There are 4 basic types of macromolecules. They are: Lipids Proteins Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids

Lipids: Function Make up the cell membrane, providing cell structure Provide insulation (fat keeps body warm) Long-term energy storage

Lipids: Food Sources As you might have guessed, fatty foods contain lipids. Lipids are found in meat and fish, oils, avocados, eggs & nuts.

Proteins: Function Build and repair muscle and tissue Enzymes: proteins that speed up chemical reactions Antibodies: Identify and fight off bacteria and viruses Transport Proteins: Carry small molecules and atoms throughout cells Hormones: Some hormones, which are substances that control organ functions, are made of proteins. Insulin and growth hormone are protein based hormones.

Proteins: Food Sources Proteins are found in meat, fish, legumes, nuts, milk, eggs, grains and soy products. There are 6 amino acids that our bodies cannot make- we can only get these from food.

Carbohydrates: Function Provide body with energy! Complex carb (ex. Starch) Broken down to disaccharides Broken down further Simple sugars (ex. Glucose)

Carbohydrates: Food Sources Simple carbs (simple sugars) are found in most candy and sweet drinks, fruit, vegetables, and milk. They are quickly digested and give a short burst of energy. Complex carbs (like starches) are found in pasta, bread, potatoes, legumes & corn. They take longer to digest, and provide energy longer.

Nucleic Acids: Function Stores and carries genetic information

Nucleic Acids: Food Sources Plant and animal foods (anything that is/was alive)

What are macromolecules made of? Macromolecules are made of 4 elements (substances made of one type of atom): Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen

Monomers & Polymers Macromolecules are actually made up of even smaller molecules. Each small molecule of a macromolecule is called a monomer. The macromolecules themselves are called polymers, because they are made up of many of these repeating molecules. Monomer: one basic unit or subunit Polymer: a chain of many basic units

What you need to know: Names of the 4 macromolecules Structure- monomers and polymers of each Function- what are they used for? Food sources- what foods will you find these in? Indicator Tests- what tests do we use to find out if a food contains them?

Lipids

Lipids: Structure Lipids are made up of… Monomer (basic unit): fatty acids Polymer (chain of units): lipids Specific examples: triglycerides, phospholipids

Lipids: Indicator Test Paper Bag Test: Smear substance onto paper bag If see-thru, it contains lipids

Proteins

Proteins: Structure Proteins are made up of… Monomer (basic unit): amino acids 20 different kinds!* Polymer (chain of units): protein More specifically- polypeptides dipeptide Amino acids linked by peptide bonds

Proteins: Indicator Test Biuret’s Solution: Turns from blue to purple if protein is present

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: Structure Carbohydrates are made up of… Monomer (basic unit): simple sugars (or monosaccharides) Ex.: glucose Polymer (chain of units): complex carbohydrates (or polysaccharides) Ex.: starch, cellulose, chitin, glycogen Disaccharide: 2 simple sugars bonded together

Carbohydrates: Indicator Tests Simple Sugars: Benedict’s solution Blue solution turns orange/green/brown Complex Carbs: Lugol’s solution/Iodine Turns from orange- red-brown to black- purple

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids: Structure Nucleic Acids are made up of… Monomers (basic unit): nucleotides Polymers (chain of units): DNA or RNA

Nucleic Acids: Indicator Test You will not be using an indicator test for these but in case you’re wondering… Dische diphenylamine test Turns from clear-light blue to dark blue if nucleic acids are present

Digestion & Reconstruction When macromolecules are eaten, they are digested and broken down into their subunits (monomers). Analogy: taking apart an old brick building Inside the cells, these subunits are reconstructed into the macromolecules we need. Analogy: using bricks to build a new building