Biological Molecules

Basics All life on earth are made up of the same basic building blocks All these building blocks, or molecules, contain Carbon (C) Other most common elements: –Hydrogen (H) –Oxygen (O) –Nitrogen (N)

Monomers and Polymers  Monomer: single unit  Polymer: single structure of repeating monomers  MonomerPolymer  Rice Krispies Rice Krispie Treats

Carbohydrates Structure –Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen –Rings or chains –Monomer: Monosaccharide –Polymer: Di or Polysaccharide C 6 H 12 O 6

Carbohydrates Functions –Key source of energy –Energy storage –Cell walls, fibers

Carbs examples –Sugars: Glucose – human metabolism (blood sugar), produced by plants Fructose – fruit sugar (& honey) Sucrose – common table sugar (di-)

Carb examples cont. –Starch – stored energy from plants, e.g. potatoes, rice, wheat, etc. (poly-) –Cellulose – chief constituent in cell walls (wood), most abundant carb. (poly-), needed in our diet for fiber –Glycogen in animals – found in muscles in liver, chains of glucose for energy (looks like a ball of yarn)

Lipids Structure: –Have hydrophobic ends (non- polar) –In general: Glycerol and 3 fatty acid chains –Can be quite large

Lipids Functions –Form cell membranes –Store energy –Protection

Lipid examples Steroids – cholesterol, hormones Phospholipids – membranes Fatty acids – saturated, unsaturated, omega-3 Oils Waxes

Proteins Monomer: amino acids: building blocks of proteins (there are 20) –Peptide bonds join them –Folded up chains –Extremely varied shapes –Polar or Non-polar

Proteins Functions –Enzymes that catalyze reactions –Structural functions –Antibodies

Protein examples –Collagen - for structure in ligaments –Enzymes – catalysts of chemical reactions in cells –Actin & Myosin – muscles

Nucleic Acids Structure –Monomer: nucleotides Sugar + nitrogen base + phosphate Sugar Base P e

Nucleic Acids Functions: –Store trait info –Manufacture proteins Examples: –DNA, RNA (Much more to come later)

Review Matching 1.Carbohydratea. Veggie Oil 2.Lipidb. Collagen 3.Proteinc. Fructose 4.Nucleic Acidd. DNA

Review Answers Matching 1.Carbohydratea. Veggie Oil 2.Lipidb. Collagen 3.Proteinc. Fructose 4.Nucleic Acidd. DNA