Biomolecules

Do Now:

Make your week 1 observations of your Winogradsky columns. The back of the

procedure sheet is probably a wise place to do this.

Biomolecules • Biomolecules, aka macromolecules are the organic (carbon containing) chemicals living cells are made up of.

• Most macromolecules are polymers: long chains of repeating subunits.

• There are 4 main classes of macromolecules, which we will take a look at in a little more depth.

Nucleic Acids: Information Carriers

• Nucleic acids are chemicals that store genetic information.

• They are polymers made of many nucleotides.

• DNA and RNA are the most common examples

Nucleotides: Building Blocks of Nucleic Acids

• Nucleotides are the monomers nucleic acids are made of

• DNA has 2 nucleotide chains, RNA has only 1 (single stranded)

A, T, G, C, U

Carbohydrates: Sugars and Fiber

• Carbohydrates come in many sizes and shapes.

• 2 main functions: store energy and form cell walls (plants and prokaryotes)

Simple vs. Complex Carbs

• Complex carbs (like starch) are polysaccharide molecules made up of many monosaccharide subunits.

• Simple carbs (sugars) are mono- or disaccharides made of few monosaccharide subunits

Monosaccharides: Building blocks of Carbohydrates

cellulose

Proteins: Git ‘er Done• Proteins have a

HUGE number of functions in cells. They are the molecules responsible for carrying out the chemical reactions that make life possible

Amino Acids: Monomers of Protein• Polypeptide is

another word for protein.

• Peptide is another word for amino acid.

• Proteins are usually made of thousands of amino acids joined together in a specific order.

Proteins are Way Cool

GFP

Lipids: Fats, oils, and waxes• Lipids are NOT

polymers made of monomers.

• Lipids are a large group of many different types of compounds.

• What they have in common is they are HYDROPHOBIC

Lipid Functions

• MOST IMPORTANT: A lipid bilayer surrounds every living cell

• Hormones and steroids help regulate processes in animals.

• Can have powerful effects.

Lipid Functions

• Energy Storage

… long term

Lipid Functions