Honors Biology Unit 1 – Chapter 6 Ms. Ereddia Macromolecules Honors Biology Unit 1 – Chapter 6 Ms. Ereddia

What are we made of? 96% of living organisms are made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur The atoms of these elements bond together and organize themselves in certain ways to form the 4 macromolecules of life. These are:   Carbohydrates (sugars and starches)  Lipids (fats and oils)  Proteins  Nucleic Acids (DNA and RNA)

What are macromolecules made of? All of these molecules are made up of smaller molecules called monomers Monomers bond together to form larger molecules called Polymers

Biology, 9th ed,Sylvia Mader Chapter 03 CARBOHYDRATES Organic Chemistry

What do carbs do? They give you energy! They aid in digestion! They regulate blood sugar!

Monomer = monosaccharide What are carbs made of? Monomer = monosaccharide Monosaccharides bond together to build Polysaccharides Two sugars bonded together are called a disaccharide

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polysaccharides Starch – found in plants – used for energy storage Glycogen – found in animals – used for energy storage Cellulose – found in plants – used for structure and support Chitin – found in the exoskeletons of insects

Biology, 9th ed,Sylvia Mader Chapter 03 LIPIDS Organic Chemistry

What does a lipid do? They are used for long term energy storage. They make cell membranes in the form of phospholipids. They cushion the organs. They insulate the body. (keep it warm) ex: blubber

What are lipids made of? Glycerol Fatty Acids Fats Oils Cholesterol 2 monomers: Glycerol Fatty Acids Examples of fats are: Fats Oils Cholesterol Steroids These together make a TRIGLYCERIDE

You’ve heard of saturated vs unsaturated fats. What does it mean? Saturated fats are saturated with hydrogen atoms. They are mostly solid at room temperature Unsaturated fats are missing hydrogen atoms, and therefore causes bending in the molecules. They are mostly liquid at room temperature.

What are phospholipids and cholesterol, really? Phospholipids are found in cell membranes. Phospholipid phosphate heads are hydrophillic and dissolve in water. Phospholipid fatty acid tails are hydrophobic and are repelled by water. These properties allow the phospholipids to create a phospholipid bi-layer. This is how cell membranes are formed. Cholesterol is a lipid that makes cell membranes more stable.

Proteins

What are proteins? Hormones - molecules that help different parts of the body communicate movement Antibodies - important in the immune system. Enzymes - speed up chemical reactions in the body.

What are proteins made of? Monomer = Amino Acid Amino acid + amino acid + amino acid… = polymer = polypeptide

Protein function A protein’s function is determined by its shape. If the protein loses its shape, it won’t work properly. When a protein unfolds we say it has denatured.

Nucleic acids

What are they? Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

What about DNA and rna? DNA stores genetic information. RNA transports genetic information to build proteins. The monomers of nucleic acids are called nucleotides.