Biology Macromolecules

Large Molecules used in Biology

1) Carbohydrates

3 types of Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides – One sugar (mono-) Disaccharides – Two sugar (di-) Polysaccharides – Many sugar (poly-)

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharide Body’s FIRST source of energy!▪ When exercising, you will use this energy source first.▪ Use this when energy is needed immediately….▪ About to start an endurance sport activity (running, biking,

etc.)

(CH2O)n▪ Polar molecules

Examples▪ Glucose▪ Fructose▪ Galactose

Disaccharides

Dissacharides: 2 sugar units Takes a little longer to break down

for energy Break to simple sugars Break down again for energy

Examples Sucrose – table sugar Maltose – malted sugar found in Malts

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides: Many sugar units connected

Examples: Starch – plants Glycogen – animals

Encouraged to be eaten by endurance athletes the night before a meet. Carbo-loading

2) Fats

Body’s 2nd Source of ENERGY 2x amount of energy per unit weight

than carbohydrates Energy dense BUT light in weight!▪ Why we store excess energy (cookies) in the

form of fat and not carbohydrates like glycogen.

When exercising, if you can talk while carrying on, you will burn fat. (Aerobic)

Fats (continued)

Consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Like in carbohydrates, but

not in same ratios Very long carbon- hydrogen

chain molecules▪ Non-polar molecules

Basic building blocks: Fatty acids and glycerol

Makes up cell membranes Need about 1 tablespoon /

day in your diet. Avg. American gets a lot

more – obesity.

Saturated Fats No double bonds in

fatty acids Lays flat ▪ Therefore: Solid at

room temp Unsaturated Fats

Double bonds if fatty acid

Not lay flat▪ Therefore: Liquid at

room temp.

Protein

Building blocks of muscles and enzymes

Basic Unit: Amino Acids C,H,O,N▪ Nitrogen is a waste product

– released from body Body’s 3rd Source of

ENERGY. If you’re breaking down

proteins for energy, you’re basically digesting yourself (body)

Nucleic Acids

Involved in heredity Major components

of DNA and RNA Contains C,H,O,N,

and P Basic Unit:

Nucleotide P, Sugar, base 5 Bases:▪ Adenine, Thymine,

Guanine, Cytosine, Uracil