And why Carbon is awesome! Macromolecules And why Carbon is awesome!

Carbon Carbon = the building block of life Carbon atoms are the basis of most molecules that make up living things They form the structure of living things and carry out processes that keep organisms alive

4 Main Types of Carbon Based Molecules: aka: Macromolecules Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids *FYI – some of the important cell organelles you learned about are made up of 1 or more of these macromolecules!

Molecular Chains *Monomer: small molecule *Polymer: many monomers attached through chemical bonds

#1: Carbohydrates Fuel for running your body!

Carb Functions: In Animals: Provides short term energy In Plants: Provides structural support Cellulose creates structure for cell walls Plants create and burn carbs for metabolic (chemical) energy

Carbs are also called saccharides Monosaccharide – 1 sugar Example: glucose Disaccharide – 2 sugars 2 Monosaccharides joined together Examples: sucrose (table sugar) and lactose

Saccharides Continued… Polysaccharide – many sugars Example: Glycogen (a form of glucose) When the body needs energy between meals or during physical activity, glycogen is broken down into glucose

Examples: Simple Carbs (sugars): Glucose – simplest sugar, fuel for plants and animals (made by plants cells during photosynthesis) Sucrose – candy and sweets Fructose - fruit Lactose - dairy

More Examples: Complex Carbs: Starches: corn, potato, bread, cereals and pasta Fiber: fruits, veggies and grains Fiber (slows the breakdown of other carbs)

Carb Structure Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen C, H, O

Lipids A blessing and a curse!

Lipid Functions: Store Energy (long term) Provide barriers Fats have more energy than carbs Our bodies store unused energy in fat Provide barriers Ex. Plant leaves coated in wax to prevent water loss

Foods Containing Lipids Nuts, avacodo, butter, cheese, oil, eggs and meat

*If you give me any lip I’ll kick you in your fatty acid! Lipid Structure Non-polar molecules cannot dissolve in water Basic structure (monomer) = fatty acid tails (chains) and a Glycerol head Glycerol = molecule used to make glucose Elements included: C, H, O and sometimes P *If you give me any lip I’ll kick you in your fatty acid!

3 Main Types: 1. Phospholipids Responsible for structure and function of the cell membrane (barrier to cell) 2. Steroids (Substances that create hormones) Make up hormones and cholesterol Cholesterol is a steroid molecule in which too much floating in your blood stream could cause a stroke/heart attack.

3. Triglycerides (fats and oils) Made up of 3 fatty acid chains and glycerol If it’s solid at room temp = fat If it’s liquid at room temp = oil

Triglyceride Structure Saturated fats (usually solids like butter) Lipids with tail chains containing only single bonds between carbon atoms Bad for you Unsaturated (usually liquids like oil) Lipids that have at least 1 double bond between carbon atoms Good for you *Saturated with H bonds *Less H atoms because of double bond

Proteins Making Life Possible!

What is a Protein? A compound made of small carbon compounds called Amino Acids Muscles, skin and hair are made of proteins

Protein Structure *Amino Acids (20) are the building blocks of proteins (monomer) Elements: C, H, O and N All Amino Acids share the same structure (Think of them as train cars that make up an entire train called a protein)

Structure Continued… Amino Acids have: A central C atom bonded to H An Amino Group A Carboxyl Group A Variable (R) Group *The R Group is what makes each Amino Acid different *20 different variable groups

Peptide Bonds… link amino acids to form proteins The bond forms between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another

3 Main Protein Functions: 1. Speed up the rate of chemical reactions 2. Reinforce cells and tissues 3. Move materials around the cell and the body

1. Enzymes An enzyme is a type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions (enzymes end in “ase” like catylase or amylase) Processes in the body don’t happen automatically, they require enzymes Catalyst – another name given to something that speeds up a chemical reaction Activation Energy – amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction

What Factors Affect Enzymes? Potato Demo

What Affects Enzymes? Changes in: Temperature pH

2. Structural Proteins Structural proteins reinforce cells and tissues! Examples: Collagen found in connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone) provides support in the body Keratin forms hair

3. Transport Proteins Transport proteins move materials around cells and around the body Example: Hemoglobin found in red blood cells carries Oxygen around the body

Drawing the cellular road map! Nucleic Acids Drawing the cellular road map!

What are Nucleic Acids? Complex macromolecules Function - store and transmit genetic information

Nucleic Acid Structure *Nucleotides – the building blocks of nucleic acids (“chains” of nucleotides) Composed of C, H, O, P and N The 6 major Nucleotides are all made up of: A simple sugar A phosphate group A nitrogenous base

FYI Your entire genetic composition, personality and maybe even your intelligence hinge on molecules contained in a nitrogen compound, some sugar and a phosphate!

2 Types of Nucleic Acids Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)