Building Blocks of

LifeTEKS 7.6A

identify that organic

compounds contain carbon

and other elements such as hydrogen,

oxygen, phosphorus, nitrogen or

sulfur

All living

things are

made up of

cellscells.

But what makes up

cells?

Amazingly, cells are made up almost entirely of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus & sulfur.

These elements make up four basic types of organic molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins & nucleic acids.

Molecules are the smallest particle of a substance that keeps the chemical & physical properties of that substance & are composed of two or more atoms.

Naturally occurring organic

molecules are made by

plants or animals.

They are built into long chains of

smaller units… like adding beads to a

bracelet or cars to a train.

All organic

compound

contain the

element carbon.

Carbohydrates

•made up of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen

•sugars & starches are common carbohydrates that provide energy & support to cells

Lipids•made up of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen

•fats, oils & waxes are common lipids that store energy & provide protection to cells

Proteins

•made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen & sometimes sulfur

•proteins

provide

structure to

muscles, skin,

hair, nails & the

outside

membrane of

cells

Nucleic acids•made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus & sometimes sulfur

•two nucleic acids

with all of the

genetic information

to control & build

cells are

deoxyribonucleic

acid (DNA) &

ribonucleic acid

(RNA)