Macromolecules

The Four Molecules of Life

I. Role of carbon

A. Carbon is part of all major macromolecules

B. Organic means that it contains carbon

C. Carbon makes four covalent bonds and can form rings and chains

I. Role of Carbon continued

D. sometimes two molecules can have the same molecular formulas but have different structures called isomers isomers

E. When large molecules are made from smaller molecules it is called a polymerpolymer

II. Carbohydrates

A. Made of C,H,O

B. H to O is 2 to 1 like water

C. Rings of carbon

D. Examples1. Glucose

2. Starch (many glucose bonded together)

3. Cellulose (many glucoses) cell wall of plants

4. Lactose, fructose, galactose, sucrose

II. Carbohydrates cont.

E. Monomers

1. simple sugars (one ring)

2. monosaccharides (glucose most common)

3. C6H12O6

II. Carbohydrates cont.

F. Polymer carbohydrates

1. chains of sugars (many rings)

2. two ring of sugar = disaccharide (sucrose)- table sugar

3. more than two chains is a polysaccharide like starch or amylose or cellulose.

4. -ose on the end usually means sugar.

II. Carbohydrates cont.

G. Functions

1. Fast energy for cells

2. Makes some structures

1. Cell wall of plants

2. Identification markings on cell membranes

III. Protein

A. Protein is a polymer of amino acids

1. Contains H,O,N,C

B. Long chain of amino acids = protein

1. Amino acid

a. Draw

b. Each is different at the R group

c. Bonded by peptide bond

III. Proteins cont.

C. Functions of proteins

1. Makes many structures for living things

a. Bone, muscles, skin, organs, tendons

2. Enzymes- control all cell functions

Amino acid structure

Dehydration synthesis/ condensation reaction

IV. Lipids (fats)

A. Structure 1. Large amount of carbon and hydrogen and a

small amount of oxygen. C,H, O 2.Glycerol + 3 fatty acids triglyceride + 3 waters 3. Fatty acids = long chains of carbon with a COOH

at one end. a. Saturated no double bonds in the middle of the chain

between carbons b. Unsaturated – one or more double bonds (less H)

B. Major Uses of lipids 1. Long term energy storage 2. Insulation of heat 3. Insulation of electricity 4. part of all cell membranes 5. part of many hormones

C. Examples 1. triglycerides in foods 2. sterols in hormones 3. phospholipids in cell membrane

V. Nucleic acids

A. Structure 1. nucleotides

a. C, H, O, N, P b. Phosphate c. Sugar d. Nitrogenous bases

B. Examples 1. DNA and RNA

C. Function 1. Store and use genetic information