Biomolecules

Most Common Elements in Living Things

Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Sulfur (S)

Organic vs. Inorganic

organic chemistry is the chemistry of molecules and compounds that contain carbon (C)

organic = contains carbon (Life on earth is “carbon-based”.)

inorganic = does not contain carbon examples:

water (H2O) = inorganic

methane (CH4) = organic

4 Major Biomolecules (Biologically Important Macromolecules)

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules are Macromolecules

Biomolecules are called macromolecules because they are large. (macro = large)

Monomers and Polymers

Organic molecules come in two basic forms

monomers (like a bead) and

polymers (like a beaded necklace) mono = one mer = part

monomer = one part; a building block or subunit poly = many mer = part

polymer = many parts; long molecule made up of many monomers

Carbohydrates

organic compound consisting of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen (CHO)

Carbon:Hydrogen:Oxygen ratio = 1:2:1

form ring structures

commonly known as sugars (saccharides; simple and complex)

Carbohydrates cont.

Sugar names end in “–ose”

examples: glucose, fructose, sucrose

examples are sugar, rice, bread, potatoes

function to provide and store energy

monomers = monosaccharides

Monosaccharide = “one sugar”

examples of monosaccharides:

glucose- most basic sugar; important to all life

fructose (fruit sugar)

simple molecules available for immediate energy; quick energy

Disaccharide = “two sugars”

when two monosaccharides are linked together

examples of disaccharides

maltose (malt sugar) = glucose + glucose

sucrose (table sugar) = glucose + fructose

Polysaccharide = “many sugars”

large molecules that must be digested and broken down into individual glucose molecules before they can enter the cell

Polysaccharide = “many sugars”

examples of polysaccharidesglycogen – the form in which animals (including the human animal) store glucose

starch – the form in which plants store glucose; most common complex carbohydrate in our diets (pasta, bread, cereal, corn, potatoes)

cellulose – a structural form of glucose that is stronger and more rigid; forms plant’s cell walls

Lipids

Organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (CHO)

Carbon:Hydrogen:Oxygen ratio is NOT 1:2:1

Monomer = glycerol backbone & 3 fatty acids

Function = long term energy storage

Lipids cont.

Differ in structure from carbohydrates in that lipid structure is linear, sometimes “E” shaped

group contains triglycerides, phospholipids (main building blocks of cell membranes), and steroids (important in hormones)

Lipids cont.

examples include fats, oils, waxes

lipids repel water (non-polar)

also provides insulation to keep animals warm (blubber in whales) and in waterproofing (bird feathers)

Proteins

organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen (CHON)

monomers = amino acids (There are 20 different amino acids!)

monomers held to together by peptide bonds so a protein is also called a polypeptide

Protein cont.

functions to build and repair tissue and regulate metabolism (the chemical reactions in cells)

examples include meat/muscle, eggs, beans, milk, cheese

Enzymes

proteins that acts as a biological catalyst (speeds up chemical reactions in the cell)

– types of reactions

catabolic/catabolism – breaking moleculesanabolic/anabolism – making molecules

Enzymes

Enzyme names end in “-ase”

Examples:Catalase = enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the liverLactase = enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar)Amylase = enzyme in saliva that begins chemical digestion in the mouth

Nucleic Acids

organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus (CHONP)

the two nucleic acids areDNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Nucleic Acid cont.

monomers = nucleotides

a nucleotide is made of a phosphate group, a a nitrogenous base, and a 5-carbon sugar (PBS)

functions to store, transmit, and express genetic information (It is the instructions for the amino acid sequence in proteins. Proteins make you!)

Mnemonic Device

CHO C (Carbohydrates)CHO L (Lipids)CHON A (Amino Acids Proteins)CHONP N (Nucleic Acid)

Say “ Cho, Cho, Chon, Chonp, CLAN”