Macromolecules

Introduction

• Organic Compounds – contain carbon and hydrogen atoms

• Inorganic Compounds – contain one or the other, but not both.

• Most of your body’s molecules are organic.

Macromolecules

• Built from small organic compounds by linking a lot of chains

Monomers

• Large carbon compounds are built up from smaller simpler molecules.

Mono = One

Polymers

• When monomers bind to one another to form a complex molecule.

• Poly = many• Consists of repeated linked units which bind

forming Macromolecules. • Macro = large

Chemical reactions

• Monomers link to form polymers through a chemical reaction called condensation reaction or dehydration synthesis.

• Water is released or is a byproduct of the reaction.

Hydrolysis

• Break down of some complex molecules

• Hydrolysis is the reverse of a condensation reaction.

4 main types of macromolecules

• 1. Carbohydrates• 2. Lipids• 3. Proteins• 4. Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in the proportion of 1:2:1

• Glucose formula: C6H12O6

• SHORT TERM ENERGY• MAIN Source of Energy

Monosaccharide's

• Simple sugarsExamples1. Glucose: found in blood of animals2. Galactose: found in milk3. Fructose: found in fruit

Isomers – same formula, but different structure

Disaccharides

• Contain 2 monosaccharide's joined by dehydration synthesis.

Examples1. Lactose: found in milk2. Sucrose: transported in plants

Polysaccharides

• Carbohydrates formed from linking individual sugars into long chains.

Examples1. Starch: storage of glucose in in plants2. Cellulose: contained in cell walls of plants3. Glycogen: storage of glucose in animals

(stored in the muscles and liver)

Lipids

• Do not dissolve in water3 Functions1. Energy storage – LONG TERM ENERGY2. Structural support for cell membranes3. Serve as a reactant (starting material) for

metabolic reactions

Lipids Cont.

• Phospholipids make up the cell membrane.

Fatty Acids

• Building blocks that make up most lipids

• Classified as either saturated or unsaturated

Saturated Fatty Acids

• Have the maximum number of bonds possible• They are full• Usually solid at room temp• Most come from animal products

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

• Have double bonds in the carbon chain• Most are liquid at room temp• Usually referred to as oils

Triglycerides

• Tri = 3• Common lipid that contains fatty acids• Glycerol linked to 3 fatty acids in the shape of

an E by condensation reaction.

Proteins

• Composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen atoms

• Construction materials for body part like hair, skin, nails, and blood

Amino Acids

• The building blocks that make up most proteins.

• 20 different kinds of amino acids

Enzymes

• Important group of proteins• Help control chemical reactions by acting as

catalysts.• Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering the

activation energy.• Enzyme rates are affected by Ph, hot and cold

temperatures.

Enzymes - Add

• Substrates – reactants of enzyme – catalyzed reactions.

• Reduces the energy needed for the reaction.• Works like a lock and key.

VERY IMPORTANT

• Proteins DO NOT produce, store, transmit, or have anything to do with ENERGY.

• Do not get confused with protein bars!!!

Nucleic Acids

• Complex organic molecules that store genetic information in the cell.

Nucleotides

• Nucleotides are the building blocks that make up most nucleic acids

• Consist of sugar, base, phosphate

3 main types of Nucleic Acids

• 1. DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid– Genetic info inside the nucleus of cells

2. RNA – Ribonucleic acid - code for protein synthesis

3. ATP – Adenosine Triphosphate - Contains a base, sugar, and 3 phosphates- ATP is used as energy for the cell