Biomolecules

TheMolecules of Life

All Organic Compounds (Biomolecules) contain the element Carbon!

The Chemistry of CarbonOrganic chemistry is the study of all compounds

that contain bonds between carbon atoms.

Macromolecules

Macromolecules are formed

by a process known as

POLYMERIZATION the process of converting

monomers into polymers Monomers – building

blocks of more complex molecules

Polymers –many monomers

Dehydration Synthesis Building large molecules while removing

water Joining monomers to form polymers

Hydrolysis Adding water to break apart a molecule

Breaking polymers into monomers

Four groups of organic compounds found in all living things are:

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates – composed of C, H, O

What is the function of carbohydrates?

Primary source of energy

Energy storage

Structure and support

Proper function of nervous,

digestive, circulatory and

immune systems

Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in the ratio of 1:2:1 (CH2O)

General molecular formula

Monomer - Glucose

Carbohydrates-made by plants through photosynthesis

Different sizes of carbohydrates:

*Monosaccharides – single sugars (C6H12O6)

ex. Glucose (the most common sugar), galactose and fructose

*Disaccharides – two single sugars joined

ex. Lactose & sucrose & maltose

*Polysaccharides – 3 or more single sugars joined

ex. Cellulose (in cell walls of plants)

Starch (stored in plants)

Glycogen (stored in animals)

Lipids – C, H, Omany more carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms compared to oxygen atoms

Lipids are generally not soluble in water.

The common categories of lipids are:Fats, oils, and waxes

Hormones

Steroids

Cholesterol

Waterproof coverings

Cell membrane – lipid bilayer

LipidsFunction:

store energy long term energy storage some lipids are important parts of biological

membranes (cell membrane) and waterproof coverings (cuticle on plants)

Not considered true polymers because they are small and the monomers are not repeating:

Fat – consist of 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids

Structure of a Lipids - triglycerides Consists of a glycerol and 3 fatty acids

glycerol fatty acid

Structure of a Lipids - triglycerides Triglyceride

Saturated and Unsaturated Fats

Saturated – contain maximum number of hydrogen atoms

unsaturated – contain at least one double bond

polyunsaturated – contain several double bonds

Lipids

Proteins – C, H, O, N

Held by Peptide bonds Polymers of monomers called amino acids.

General formula for an amino acid

-NH2 is amino group

-COOH is carboxyl

-R group (different for each protein

-names always end in -ine

Amino Acids: 20 common amino acids

The instructions for arranging amino acids into many different proteins are stored in DNA.

AminoAcids

Protein Molecule

Polymers of proteins Polypeptide – chains of amino acids joined

by peptide bonds

Functions of proteins:

Catalysts to control the rate of chemical reactions

Structural support and movement

Transport & Communication: moves small molecules into or out of cells

Help to fight disease

Examples of Proteins: Blood protein is hemoglobin Enzymes (biological catalysts) Skin, ligaments, tendons, bones, hair,

muscle, cartilage, fingernails and toenails Antibodies

Nucleic Acids – C, H, O, N, P

Nucleic AcidsNucleic acids are polymers assembled from

individual monomers known as nucleotides.

Nucleic Acids: MonomersNucleotides consist of three parts:

a 5-carbon sugar

a phosphate group

a nitrogenous base Adenine

Thymine

Cytosine

Guanine

Uracil

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids store and transmit hereditary, or genetic, information. *Genetic Blueprint*

Examples and Polymers:

ribonucleic acid (RNA)

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)