Molecules of LifeBiomolecules
Monomers: simplest subunits, building blocks Polymers: repeating monomers
• Monomers join to form polymers through the process of condensation (removing a water molecule)
• Condensation is also known as polymerization!
• Hydrolysis: breaking down polymers (adding a water molecule)
4 classes of Life Substances
• Carbohydrates• Proteins• Lipids• Nucleic Acids
Journal # 1
• Why might a coach tell an athlete to eat pasta the night before an athletic event?
• What major class of bio-molecules is pasta a part of?
Carbohydrates (Carbs): • Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
• Used by cells to provide ENERGY– Fuel for the cell
Carbs continued• Monomer is called a monosaccharide• Polymer is called a polysaccharide
Examples: Monosaccharide: glucosePolysaccharide : starch in plants, glycogen in animals
Journal #2
• List anything that you associate with protein. • What does your list have in common?
Proteins
Functions:•forms muscle tissue•transport oxygen in blood •provide immunity (antibodies) •carry out chemical reactions (enzymes)•Receptors
Proteins Continued
• Monomer: amino acid• Polymer: polypeptide (3 or more amino acids)
• Polypeptides are formed by peptide bonds.
Polypeptides are formed by peptide bonds
Levels of Protein Structure
• There are about 20 common amino acids that are the building blocks of 1000s of different proteins.
• Journal #3: How can this be??? Propose an explanation.
• Some amino acids are acidic, others are basic, and some are neutral. Polar/nonpolar
• This causes the amino acids to interact in different ways to each other. Some attract, some repel.
• Unique properties= unique shapes= unique functions
• Based on the unique sequence of the amino acids in a particular polypeptide the protein will fold in a particular way.
• With 20 different amino acids, the variety of sequences and shapes that will result is limitless!!!
• Enzymes : a special class of proteins• Function: Increase the rate of a reaction by
lowering the amount of energy required for the reaction to take place.
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ AND UNDERSTAND PAGE 162 of your text book (B) Biology – The dynamics of Life (Whale cover)
Lets Review….
• What is a monomer?• What is a polymer?
• What is the building block of Carbohydrates?• What is the building block of Proteins?
Lipids• Monomers: fatty acids, glycerol• Polymer: trigylcerides, phospholipids, wax
• Used for long term energy storage, insulation, and protective coverings.
• Examples- Fats, oils, waxes
Journal
• How is information passed along in cells???• What “codes” for everything????
Nucleic Acids• Store hereditary information in a code
• Monomer: nucleotide
Nucleic Acids• Polymers: DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
The end of today’s lesson.
Time to Review!!!