Organic Macromolecules

Organic Life Molecules

• Carbon based• Macromolecules - polymers• Found in all living things• Many different functions

• Carbon is a versatile atom.• It has four electrons in an outer shell that holds eight.• Carbon can share its electrons with other atoms to form up to four covalent bonds. • Carbon can use its bonds to attach to other

carbons • Form an endless diversity of carbon skeletons

• The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons, which are organic molecules containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

• The simplest hydrocarbon is methane, consisting of a single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

• Larger hydrocarbons form fuels for engines.• Hydrocarbons of fat molecules fuel our bodies.• Each type of organic molecule has a unique three-

dimensional shape.• The shapes of organic molecules relate to their

functions.

Microbes within a typical cow produce over 200 pounds of

methane gas each year.

Polymerization• Connecting monomers to create polymers.

Biochemical ReactionsConnecting monomers (building molecules) by removing a water molecule.

Separating monomers (breaking molecules) by adding a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

Americans consume an average of 140 pounds of sugar per person per year.

Carbohydrates

• Monomer – saccharides• Functions – Fuel for living organisms, ID

markers for immune system• Types – simple & complex (1:2:1)

Proteins

• Monomer- amino acids (20)• Functions – catalyze reactions, building blocks of living organisms, fight diseases, provide structure &

transport• Types- enzymes, antibodies, pumps and

channels, tissues

• All proteins have 3 different structures that help determine what their function is:

-Primary, secondary & tertiary structures.-SOME proteins have quaternary structures

What Determines Protein Shape?• A protein’s shape is sensitive to the surrounding

environment.• Unfavorable temperature and pH changes can

cause denaturation of a protein, in which it unravels and loses its shape.

• High fevers (above 104º F) in humans can cause some proteins to denature.

• Misfolded proteins are associated with– Alzheimer’s disease– Mad cow disease– Parkinson’s disease

A typical cell in your body has about 2 meters of DNA.

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer – nucleotides• Functions – store & transmit genetic information. • Types – Ribonucleic Acid & Deoxyribonucleic

Acid

Nucleic Acids & Proteins

Nucleotides – DNA- Genes- Chromosomes

DNA-Genes-RNA-Protein

Lipids

Saturated fats Unsaturated Fats

Plant oils Omega-3 fats

• Components - Fatty Acids & glycerol• Functions - store energy, regulate hormonal

activities, biological membranes, cushioning, insulation

• Types – fats, oils, waxes and steroids– Saturated vs. unsaturated

Steroids• Steroids are very different from fats in structure and

function.• The carbon skeleton is bent to form four fused rings.• Steroids vary in the functional groups attached to this

core set of rings. • Cholesterol is a key part of cell membranes • The “base steroid” from which other steroids like estrogen and testosterone.• Synthetic anabolic steroids resemble testosterone and

mimic some of its effects• Can cause serious physical and mental problems

Most of the world’s people cannot properly digest a glass of milk.

Fig. 3-27

DNA

Human cell(DNA in 46

Chromosomes)

Chromosome 2(one DNA molecule)

Section ofchromosome 2

Lactase gene

14,000 nucleotides

C at this site causeslactose intoleranceT at this site causeslactose tolerance

Fig. 3-UN01

Short polymer Monomer Hydrolysis

Dehydrationreaction

Longer polymer

Fig. 3-19

Normal red blood cell

Sickled red blood cell Sickle-cell hemoglobin

(b) Sickle-cell hemoglobin

(a) Normal hemoglobin

Normal hemoglobin

1 2 3 4 5 6 7. . . 146

1 2 3 4 5 6 7. . . 146

SEM

SEM

Fig. 3-11b

(b) A fat molecule with a glycerol “head” and three energy-rich hydrocarbon fatty acid “tails”

Fig. 3-13

Cholesterol

Testosterone A type of estrogen