the molecules of life chapter 5, sections 1-4. living things are composed of organic molecules which...
TRANSCRIPT
THE MOLECULES OF LIFE
CHAPTER 5, SECTIONS 1-4
Living things are composed of ORGANIC molecules which contain the element CARBON
(INORGANIC compounds do not!)
WHY CARBON?
Carbon has _____ valence electrons and can easily bond with other atoms (including other carbon atoms) to make large, complex molecules in many shapes…
4
MONOMERS AND POLYMERS
Most complex macromolecules are POLYMERS which are made up of smaller units called MONOMERS
Polymers are built through a DEHYDRATION reaction where a water molecule is released
Polymer bonds are broken when water is ADDED in a HYDROLYSIS reaction
CARBOHYDRATES
(CH2O)x
Sugars and Starches
Store chemical ENERGY and have some structural purposes
Variable in Size SMALLMONOMER
Monosaccharide Simple Sugars EX: glucose, fructose, galactose
Disaccharide Glucose + Fructose =Sucrose
LARGEPOLYMER
Polysaccharide Many glucose =starch or glycogen, Cellulose
CARBOHYDRATES
HYDROPHILIC molecules (Hydroxyl Group attracts water)
However, POLYSACCHARIDES do NOT dissolve in water because of their size
LIPIDS
Contain mostly Carbon and Hydrogen (some Oxygen)
Fats, Oils, Waxes, and Steroids
HYDROPHOBIC molecules formed from a Glycerol molecule and Fatty Acid Chains (Avoid Water (Don’t Mix)- Nonpolar)
LIPIDS
Store ENERGY and are a structural component of biological MEMBRANES
Saturated Fats (solid at room temp): All carbon atoms single bond
Unsaturated Fats (oils): One or more double-bonded carbon atoms
Steroids (4 fused rings): Circulate as chemical signals (hormones); Cholesterol (Good-HDL/Bad-LDL)
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Contain Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous
Molecules of INHERITANCE (DNA and RNA)
Assembled from monomers called NUCLEOTIDES
PROTEINS
Contain Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen
Made of monomers called AMINO ACIDS (20 different a.a.)
Amino Acids are joined by peptide bonds, therefore another name for a protein is POLYPEPTIDE
There are 4 levels of structural organization
PROTEINS
Proteins are very diverse and have different functions:
Aid in chemical reactions (enzymes)
Help fight disease (antibodies)
Build bone and muscle tissue
Help transport substances in/out of cell
Help regulate cell processes