Macromolecules

Biology

Intro Video

• https://vimeo.com/83005599

The Importance of CHNOPS

•CARBON – Major structural atom in all organic molecules.

– Key component in photosynthesis, returned back to the environment through cellular respiration, and decomposition.

– CO2 is the major nonliving source of carbon in the atmosphere.

We will talk more about the

biogeochemical cycles a little

later!

Hydrogen - Major component of all organic molecules.

- Most common atom in the Universe.

- Enters biological systems largely bonded to oxygen in water.

- Returned to the environment by decomposition and water release.

Nitrogen • Found in all proteins and nucleic acids. • Major nonliving source is N2 in the atmosphere. • Makes its way into the food chain via nitrogen

fixing bacteria, which convert it into a usable form of N2 that can be used by producers and passed on to consumers in the food chain.

• Returned back to the environment through decomposition and denitrifying bacteria (convert nitrates in the soil into atmospheric nitrogen).

Oxygen

• Found in most organic molecules.

• Oxygen is in our atmosphere, as well as in our water.

• Incorporated into the food chain through cellular respiration and returned back to the environment through photosynthesis.

Phosphorus

• Found in all nucleic acids

• Used quickly to store and release free energy in cells.

• Decomposition returns it back to the environment.

Sulfur

• Found in all proteins.

• Major nonliving source is found in rocks.

• Weathering releases it back into the soil, where producers absorb it and pass it through the food chain.

• Decomposition returns it back to the environment.

The building blocks of life!

All contain the element carbon!

Also known as biomolecules, carbon based molecules, and

macromolecules

Unique atomic structure because it has four

unpaired electrons on the outer energy level, and can form covalent bonds with

up to four other atoms!!!!!!

There are four!

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

4. Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules

Video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO244P1e9QM

Molecular Shape Ring Branched Straight

Monomer / Polymer

Monomer= small molecular subunit

Polymer= molecule that contains many Monomers bonded together.

How many monomers are above?

• How do we make a polymer from a monomer? _________________________________________

• How do we break down a polymer?__________________________________

• ________________________________: a chemical process where two smaller molecules are combined to make a larger molecule. Water is released and energy is stored in the newly formed chemical bonds.

• _______________________________: A chemical process where a large molecule is broken down into smaller molecules. Water is required and energy is released. Digestion is a series of hydrolytic reactions.

Use the diagram below to help

you answer these questions!

Answers

• 1. How do we make a polymer from a monomer? Dehydration synthesis / take water away.

• 2. How do we break down a polymer? Hydrolysis / add water

• 3. Dehydration Synthesis: a chemical process where two smaller molecules are combined to make a larger molecule. Water is released and energy is stored in the newly formed chemical bonds.

• 4. Hydrolysis: A chemical process where a large molecule is broken down into smaller molecules. Water is required and energy is released. Digestion is a series of hydrolytic reactions.

Macromolecule Chart Macromolecule Basic Formula & Functional Group Monomer

Carbohydrates CHO

1:2:1

-OH (hydroxyl)

Glucose

Galactose

Fructose

Ribose

Deoxyribose

Lipids CHO

1:2: very few

-CH3 (methyl)

- OH

Triglyceride

(Glycerol + 3 fatty acids)

No true monomer.

Proteins CHONS

No ratio

NH2 (amino)

COOH (carboxyl)

Amino Acids = also known as

“the building blocks of

proteins.”

Nucleic Acids CHONP

PO4 Nucleotide: made up of a 5

carbon sugar, phosphate, and

a nitrogenous base (A-T, C-G)

Sub-groups and

Polymers

Examples Functions / Uses

Monosaccharides

= simple sugars

Disaccharides=

double sugars

Polysaccharides=

many sugars

Glucose,

galactose,

fructose

Sucrose, lactose

Starch- plants

Glycogen-

animals

Cellulose- plants

Chitin- insects

Main source of energy

Store energy

Provide structure

Carbohydrates

Saturated= all single bonds, full of

H

Monounsaturated= One double

bond

Polyunsaturated= two or more

double bonds

Phospholipids (phosphate

replaces a fatty acid)

Steroids (4 fused rings)

Waxes (-OH replaces a fatty acid)

Butter

Soft Margarine

Olive Oil

Cell Membrane

Cholesterol

Testosterone

Progesterone

Beeswax (paraffin)

Long term energy storage

Protect the cell: selects what can enter and leave the

cell.

Chemical messengers

Repel water (leaves)

Dipeptide= two amino acids

Polypeptide= many amino acids

Enzymes

Muscles

Skin

Some Hormones

Storage

Signal

Structural

Contractile

Defensive

Enzyme

Transport Receptor

DNA

RNA

ATP, ADP, AMP

Genes

mRNA, tRNA, rRNA

Stores and transmits genetic information. Protein synthesis Main source of energy for cells

Practice identifying the macromolecule!

Explain how monomers are related to polymers.

Match the Monomer on the left to the macromolecules on the right.

Fatty acids and glycerol _________ A. Protein

Monosaccharide _________ B. Lipid

Nucleotide _________ C. Nucleic acid

Amino acid _________ D. Carbohydrate

Match the Polymer on the left to the macromolecules on the right.

DNA _________ A. Protein

Enzyme _________ B. Lipid

Triglyceride _________ C. Nucleic acid

Polysaccharide _________ D. Carbohydrate

Taking Volunteers!

Match the Monomer on the left to the Polymer on the right.

Fatty acids and glycerol _________ A. Polysaccharide

Monosaccharide _________ B. RNA

Nucleotide _________ C. Enzyme

Amino acid _________ D. Phospholipid

Match the Monomer on the left to the Polymer on the right.

Fatty acids and glycerol _________ A. Enzyme

Glucose _________ B. Triglyceride

Nucleotide _________ C. Starch

Amino acid _________ D. DNA

Match the Monomer on the left to the Polymer on the right.

Amino acid _________ A. Glycogen

Nucleotide _________ B. Phospholipid

Monosaccharide _________ C. Protein

Fatty acids and glycerol _________ D. DNA

Match the Polymer on the left to the macromolecules on the right.

Cholesterol _________ A. Protein

Enzyme _________ B. Nucleic Acid

RNA _________ C. Carbohydrate

Cellulose _________ D. Lipid

How do we break down a polymer and turn it into a monomer?

• Eat pasta (starch)-> There is a protein (enzyme) in your spit that breaks the pasta down -> glucose

• Let’s try it! “The Saltine Cracker Experiment” – 1. Chew the cracker, DON’T SWALLOW IT

– 2. Put another crack in, chew it, don’t swallow it, just chew.

– 3. You should taste the cracker getting sweeter= glucose.

What if glucose is needed now?

• We make a polymer called glycogen (similar to starch, but only found in animals), which are repeating units, or monomers of glucose with lots of branches. Glycogen curls around and makes a BIG globby molecule.

• Globby and branched= sticks out all over the place.

• Enzymes attach to the ends, and break down the glycogen into glucose= ENERGY

• Where is glycogen found, and where do you need it the most? Liver and Muscles!

Phospholipids • Form the bilayer of the cell

membrane. • First line of defense for the cell. • One glycerol, two fatty acids, and a

phosphate. • Hydrophobic tails- made up of fatty

acids, and are afraid of water (non-polar).

• Hydrophilic heads- made up of glycerol and phosphate, and love water (polar).

Functions of Proteins Function Description

Catalyzing Enzymes •Activate metabolic reactions, speed up

rates of reactions.

•Lowers activation energy-> the amount of

energy needed to get a reaction started.

•On-going / never stop.

•Need certain factors in order to work

properly-> pH, temperature, enzyme

concentration, substrate concentration, and

the presence of inhibitors.

•Ex- Human enzymes work best at 98.6,

above 104 they fall apart.

Defensive Proteins •Basis of the bodies endocrine and immune

systems. They attack invading microbes and

cancer cells.

•Ex- antibodies attack viruses and bacteria

•Ex- fibrinogen = protein that causes your

blood to clot

Storage Proteins Bind with iron and calcium to provide

nourishment for an organism.

Function Description

Transport Proteins •Allow larger molecules to move in and out of

cells.

Ex- Hemoglobin= carries oxygen

Ex- Myoglobin= carries oxygen to muscles

Support Proteins •Provide structural support and protection.

•Ex- Keratin in your hair, skin, and nails

•Ex- Fibrin- allows your blood to clot

•Ex- Collagen and elastin- major

components of connective tissue

Motion Proteins •Such as myosin and actin, cause muscles to

contract or change shape.

Messenger Proteins •Allow different cells to communicate

Ex- Hormones- regulate body

functions

Ex- Insulin- regulates glucose levels

Ex- Vasopressin- tells your kidneys to

reabsorb water

• Deoxyribonucleic Acid

• Double stranded, twisted ladder,

double helix

• Sugar= deoxyribose

• Location= Nucleus only

• Function= carries and transfers

genetic info.

• Processes= DNA Replication

• Base Pairs=

– A-T (Adenine – Thymine)

– C-G (Cytosine- Guanine)

– Known as Chargaff’s Rule

• Ribonucleic Acid

• Single Stranded

• Sugar= Ribose

• Location= Nucleus and cytoplasm

• Function= carries and transfers

genetic information and

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS (the

process by which the genetic code

puts together proteins in the cell).

• Processes: Transcription and

Translation

• Base Pairs=

– A-U (Adenine – Uracil)

– C-G (Cytosine to Guanine)

Nucleic Acids

Make sure to label all of the

parts!

DNA RNA

Questions

• 1. What is the monomer of a nucleic acid made up of?

• 2. What type of bond holds together the nitrogenous bases?

• 3. What type of bond holds together the sugars and phosphates?

• 4. Which base pairs match up in DNA?

• 5. Which base pairs match up in RNA?

• 6. In RNA, thymine is replaced with ___________.

• 1. Nucleotide: sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

• 2. Hydrogen bonds

• 3. Covalent bonds

• 4. A-T and C-G

• 5. A-U and C-G

• 6. Uracil

Videos

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_-6JXLYS-k

Stores and transmits genetic information.________

Makes Enzymes ________________

Insulin ______________

Sucrose ______________

Saturated ________________

Fatty Acids _____________

Glucose ______________

Antibodies _______________

Enzyme Substrate Complex _____________

Phospholipid Bilayer ________________

Contains nitrogenous bases __________

Amino acids ___________________

Monosaccharides _____________

Main component of the cell membrane

___________

The only one that contains phosphorus (sugar,

phosphate, nitrogenous base) _______________

Glycerol _________________

Collagen _________________

Polyunsaturated ________________

Long term energy storage _______________

Main source of energy _____________

Cholesterol ________________

Hemoglobin _____________

Disaccharides _______________

Starches __________________

ATP___________________

Unsaturated fats ________________

Deoxyribonucleic Acid_________________

Ribonucleic Acid _________________

Steroids _________________

Lactose __________________

Ends in “ose” __________________

Olive oil __________________

Cellulose _________________

Triglycerides _________________

Has an “R” group _________________

Monomers are nucleotides _________________

Hormones ____________________

Four Macromolecules / Carbon Based Molecules

1.________________________________ 2.______________________________

3.________________________________ 4.______________________________

Directions: Using the four macromolecules above, write which one is represented by

the description. Put a C for carbohydrate, P for protein, L for lipid, and NA for

nucleic acids.

Let’s look at the molecular structures a little closer.