THE MOLECULES OF LIFE

Biology

Carbon

Carbon can form 4 bonds

Organic molecules contain carbon with O & H (carbohydrates)

Inorganic molecules are all others (H2O, NaCl)

Hydrocarbons are molecules of C & H (methane, CH4)

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Functional groups are variable groups of atoms that are attached to C skeletons; these determine the properties of the molecule

Hydrophilic –water loving (attract water)

Hydrophobic –water fearing

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Monomers are small units of biochemicals; polymers are larger subunits.

There are 4 macromolecules (large molecules) found in living organisms:

Carbohydrates (sugars)Lipids (fats)ProteinsNucleic Acids (DNA & RNA)

Macromolecules

1. Carbohydrates: This is the usable energy source. These are sugars, starches, & cellulose that store energy & provide shape to organisms.

Contain 1 C: 2 H: 1 O (ratio) Hydrophilic

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MONOSACCHARIDES (“SINGLE SUGARS”) LIKE GLUCOSE &

FRUCTOSE

Carbohydrates:

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DISACCHARIDES (“DOUBLE SUGARS”) LIKE SUCROSE (TABLE

SUGAR)

Carbohydrates:

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POLYSACCHARIDES (“MANY SUGARS”) CAN BE STORAGE

SUGARS LIKE STARCH (IN PLANTS) AND GLYCOGEN (IN

ANIMALS) OR STRUCTURAL LIKE

CELLULOSE (IN PLANTS’ CELL

WALLS)

Carbohydrates:

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2. Lipids: These are fats (saturated & unsaturated), oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids (like cholesterol) that provide long-term storage of energy.

Hydrophobic

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Lipids:

provide insulation in whales & penguins, repel water in plants, protect plants, provide waterproofing & protection for birds, provide structure & control for cells, main component for cell membranes

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3. Proteins: These are composed of amino acids.

They make up 50% of the dry weight of your body

There are only 20 amino acids, 1000’s of proteins

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Proteins can be denatured (shape falls apart) due to a change in pH, [salt] or temp change.

Enzymes are 1 group of proteins that speed up chemical reactions

a protein catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction A catalyst is a substance that speeds up or slows

down as reaction without being consumed or used up in the reaction

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Enzymes

Activation energy is the amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction; enzymes lower activation energy

An enzyme binds with a substrate (a reactant); the substrate fits into an active site.

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4. Nucleic Acids: This is the genetic material (DNA and RNA)

DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid; controls cellular activities.

RNA is ribonucleic acid; contains instructions to make proteins.

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Animations:

Dehydration synthesis & Hydrolysis –http://www.bcconline.com/biol10rs/Pearson-A

nimations/monomers_and_polymers.swfhttp://www.cengage.com/biology/discipline_c

ontent/animations/reaction_types.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTeqZL

XBSohttp://

resource.rockyview.ab.ca/t4t/bio20/mm/m7/hydrolysis/Bio20_Hydrolysis_Final.swf

MACROMOLECULES ANIMATION:

http://www.springer.com/cda/content/document/cda_downloaddocument/0301s.swf?SGWID=0-0-45-752206-0