MACROMOLECULES

• Large molecules found in living (& once living) organisms

• Made up of more simple building blocks

Macromolecules contain mostly these four elements:

• C

• H

• O

• N

Over 95% of any organism is made-up of just these four elements!

Do you recognize any of these MACROMOLECULES?

Carbohydrates

Lipids (fats)

Proteins

Nucleic Acids

The 4 Major Categories of Macromolecules:

What do all these Macromolecules have in Common?

• Carbon backbone or “framework” !!!

WHY CARBON?

• 4 Valence Electrons

• Can bond with 4 different atoms

• This allows for thousands of combinations!

CarbohydratesHOW MANY CARBONS IN THIS MOLECULE?

6

Remember this?

C6H12O6

Glucose is the product of

photosynthesis!

HI

• Glucose is a monomer– Mono means “one”– A monomer can exist alone or can

form with other similar molecules to form a larger molecule

• Carbohydrates are polymers– Poly means “many”– Polymers are compounds formed of

long chains of monomers

Saccharides – “sugars”

• Monosaccarides– i.e. Glucose, Fructose

• Disaccarides – Glucose + Fructose = Sucrose (table sugar)– i.e. sucrose & lactose

• Polysaccharides– Carbohydrates (i.e. starch, cellulose,

glycogen)

Q: So what would you call a macromolecule made up of many monosaccharides?

A: CARBOHYDRATE

Remember, carbohydrates are just one example of MACROMOLECULES.

Don’t forget the PROTEINS, LIPIDS, and NUCLEIC ACIDS.

Today’s LAB

You will be testing foods for the following MACROMOLECULES:

Glucose – monosaccharideSucrose – disaccharideStarch – polysaccharide

Lipids – (a.k.a. fats)

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Elements C,H,O,

Building blocks Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose)

Examples Glycogen, glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, cellulose

Uses Cell transport, intercellular junctions, structural, mechanical

Lipids

Elements C,H,O* (*much less oxygen than other biomolecules)

Building blocks Fatty acids (mostly hydrocarbon chains)

Examples Phospholipids, steroids,

Uses Cell membranes, hormones, triglycerides (energy storage)

Protein

Elements C,H,O,N

Building blocks Amino Acids

Examples Keratin, actin/myosin, hemoglobin,

Uses Cell transport, intercellular junctions, structural, mechanical

Nucleic Acids

Elements C,H,O,N, P

Building blocks Nucleotides

Examples DNA, RNA, ATP

Uses Cell metabolism, protein synthesis, storage of genetic material