1. Building Blocks of Life
Biology
Building Blocks of Life

2. Definitions for Section 7
Carbohydrate
Monosaccharide
Lipid
Protein
Amino acid
Nucleic Acid
Nucleotide

3. Biomolecules
Molecules that contain carbon are called organic molecules
All life on Earth contains carbon
Other elements found in life include CHONPS

4. 4 major classes of biomolecules
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

5. Carbs
CARBOHYDRATES: Compounds composed of C, H, and O in a 1:2:1 ratio
MONOSACCHARIDES: Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates
Glucose is a monosaccharide
Plays central role in cellular energy
Two monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, can join to form something like sucrose (table sugar) made of

6. Longer chains can form, making complex carbs
Glycogen (animals) and starch (plants) store energy
Cellulose provides support for plant cells (cell walls)

7. Carbs are used for structure and energy
Chitin makes up exoskeletons of arthropods
Sugars can be identified by the ending –ose
Sucrose, fructose, lactose
Carbs are used for structure and energy

8. Grease is Good
LIPIDS: Molecules made mostly of carbon and hydrogen with few oxygen
Includes fats, oils, and waxes
Main building blocks are FATTY ACIDS
Long chains of 4-28 carbons with attached hydrogens
Lipids important for structure, energy storage (2x energy of carbs (VERY IMPORTANT!))

9. Other important lipids include
Phospholipids (discussed in chapter 7)
Sterols
Include cholesterol and the hormones estrogen and testosterone

10. Proteins
PROTEIN: Compound made of small carbon compounds called AMINO ACIDS
Building blocks of proteins
Contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur
Made of long chains of thousands of amino acids bent into certain shapes

11. Sequence of amino acids and shape of protein determines function!!!
Changing the shape of the protein affects its function
REMEMBER: STRUCTURE DETERMINES FUNCTION
Proteins used for structure, transport, cell growth, and building/breaking down substances, and energy

12. Special class of proteins called enzymes
Important proteins include:
Hemoglobin in red blood cells which picks up oxygen (VERY IMPORTANT)
Keratin, which makes fingernails, hair, scales, feathers
Special class of proteins called enzymes

13. Who Am I?
NUCLEIC ACIDS: Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information
NUCLEOTIDES: Building blocks of nucleic acids
Contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphorus
Include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Main purpose is to carry information
ADENINE
(A)

14. Section 4 Assignment
Create a table of the FOUR biomolecules. Be sure to include in your table the type of biomolecule, their functions, elements contained within, building blocks, and 2 examples of each (not necessary to be too specific).
If you were given a chemical formula of an unknown substance, how could you tell if it was a carb, lipid, protein, or nucleic acid? Give me a reason for each major biomolecule. Then identify each of these chemical formulas as carb, lipid, protein, or nucleic acid.
C3H7NO2S, C5H5N5PO4, C13H30O3, C12H22O11
How do organisms such as ourselves get the carbon, nitrogen, and other important elements?

15. Section 4 Assignment
Create a table of the FOUR biomolecules. Be sure to include in your table the type of biomolecule, their functions, elements contained within, building blocks, and 2 examples of each (not necessary to be too specific).
If you were given a chemical formula of an unknown substance, how could you tell if it was a carb, lipid, protein, or nucleic acid? Give me a reason for each major biomolecule. Then identify each of these chemical formulas as carb, lipid, protein, or nucleic acid.
C3H7NO2S, C5H5N5PO4, C13H30O3, C12H22O11
How do organisms such as ourselves get the carbon, nitrogen, and other important elements?