Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids Macromolecules

Macromolecules are relatively large compounds compared to the size of the atom. There are four major macromolecules that are essential to life for humans. Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Macromolecules in Life Three of the four macromolecules should be familiar as they are the main nutrients listed on nutrition labels. Carbohydrates, lipids (fats), and protein are part of everyday conversations. Nucleic acids are the building blocks of DNA and are rarely discussed outside of science class. Though they are incredibly vital to your existence.

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates consist of three different atoms Hydrogen Carbon Oxygen

Use of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are the body's main source of quick energy. 1 gram of carbohydrate will release 4 calories of energy when broken down by the body. This means that for every gram of carbohydrate you eat, you will be "consuming" four calories. Carbohydrate food sources Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar, and wheat

Classes of Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Disaccharides Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides The prefix "mono" means one A monosaccharide is a molecule that have one saccharide molecule. These are the simplest saccharides and include: Glucose Galactose Fructose - the sugar found in fruit

Disaccharides The prefix "di" represents the number two A disaccharide is a molecule that has two saccharide molecules joined together Disaccharides are more complex and include: Maltose Lactose - the sugar found in milk Sucrose

Polysaccharides The prefix "poly" means many A polysaccharide is a molecule that has three or more saccharide molecules joined together Polysaccharides are even more complex and include: Cellulose, Starch, Chitin, and Glycogen

Polysaccharides Cellulose - the substance that makes up the cell wall of a plant Starch - the substance found in potatoes and pasta Chitin - the substance that makes up the exoskeleton in arthropods such as crabs and lobsters Glycogen - a energy source for animals stored in the liver and muscles

Lipids Lipids consist of three different atoms Hydrogen Carbon Oxygen

Use of Lipids Lipids serve many functions Long term energy storage. 1 gram of lipid will release 9 calories of energy when broken down by the body. This means that for every gram of carbohydrate you eat, you will be "consuming" nine calories. Structural - makes up parts of cells Living system regulation - act as hormones in the body.

Properties of Lipids Lipids are very diverse and are grouped together because they are hydrophobic. Most lipids have a similar structure A glycerol molecule attached to a fatty acid

Fatty Acids There are two forms of fatty acids. These forms of the fatty acids are what nutritionists, commercials, and doctors are talking about when they discuss "good fats" and "bad fats." Saturated Unsaturated

Saturated Fats The carbon atoms share only two elections between them. The sharing of two electrons only is called a single bond. This type of fat is often found in animals and has been linked to major cardiovascular disease The type of fat is usually solid at room temperature Butter and visible fat on meat

Unsaturated Fats Some carbon atoms share four elections between them. The sharing of four electrons is called a double bond. This type of fat is often found in plants and are considered healthy The type of fat is usually liquid at room temperature Olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil

Steroids This form of lipid has a different form than the previous types Instead of fatty acid chains, steroids are made of four fused rings. Examples include Cholesterol Testosterone Estradiol

Proteins Lipids consist of several different atoms Hydrogen Carbon Oxygen Nitrogen Sulfur Phosphorus

Use of Proteins Proteins serve many functions Growth and repair of cells. Cell communication Protection Promoting chemical reactions

Use of Proteins They also store energy, but in a form that is not as useful as lipids and carbohydrates 1 gram of protein will release 4 calories of energy when broken down by the body. This means that for every gram of protein you eat, you will be "consuming" four calories.

Properties of proteins Made of small building blocks called amino acids Only twenty known amino acids that join in various combinations to create different protein. The shape of a protein determines its function and the job it performs. Four levels of protein structure Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary

Primary Structure This is the sequence of amino acids that make up the protein. Alteration in the sequence of amino acids can be fatal or have serious consequences. Sickle cell anemia is caused when an amino acid is accidentally replaced with another in the hemoglobin protein.

Secondary Structure This structure is caused by the hydrogen bonding that can occur between the amino acids in the sequence. Two shapes can for Alpha helix Beta pleated sheets

Tertiary Structure This is the three dimensional structure that a protein forms due to interactions between different parts of the protein. The tertiary shape determines the protein's specific function

Quaternary Structure This structure is formed by the interaction between two or more tertiary proteins. Hemoglobin, a protein found in blood, has 4 protein chains that interact.

Nucleic Acids There are two forms of nucleic acids RNA (ribonucleic acid) DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Use of Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids carry all genetic information. DNA is the molecule from which all hereditary traits are passed on.

Properties of Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are made of 5 different bases, a sugar and a phosphate group. 5 different nitrogen bases: Adenine Cytosine Guanine Thymine (in DNA only) Uracil (in RNA only)

Properties of Nucleic Acids Two types of sugars Ribose sugars in RNA Deoxyribose sugars in DNA Phosphate Group A covalently bonded group of phosphorus and oxygen.