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!!!