Six Most Common Elements of Living ThingsCarbon

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Phosphorous

Sulfur

Biological MoleculesA.K.A – Organic Compounds

• Organic – Containing Carbon

• Inorganic – Not containing Carbon• Ex: Ca, NaCl, Mg

4 Classes of Biological Molecules

•Carbohydrates•Lipids•Proteins•Nucleic Acids

Carbon is KingCarbon is the main component of biological

molecules

Carbon can form 4 bonds with other atoms

Carbon can form double and triple bonds

The more bonds that exist between 2 atoms, the stronger the bond is…..therefore, the stronger the molecule.

Biomolecules Definitions

•Monomer: A single subunit of a polymer

•Polymer: A compound made of many monomers bonded together

•Macromolecule: A large complex molecule

*A polymer is a macromolecule

CarbohydratesStructure•Contain the elements Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O)

• The ratio is 1:2:1. Example C6H12O6

• C6H12O6 – carbohydrate monomermonosaccharide, glucose, simple sugarsugar names end in -ose

• Monosaccharides as polymers are disaccharides or polysaccharides

Carbohydrates are created by the joining of glucose molecules by glycosidic bonds.

Condensation reaction (dehydration synthesis)

Carbohydrate Formation

CarbohydratesFunction

• Carbohydrates are a key source of energy in cells

• Form structural components in cells and tissues

Examples

• Glycogen - Energy storage molecule in animal cells• Starch - Energy storage molecule in plant cells• Cellulose – component of cell walls in plant cells

cannot be digested by humans

Lipids

Contains the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

Structure

Glycerol backbone

3 Fatty Acids

A fat E

Lipid Examples and Their Functions

Lipids are nonpolar (balanced charges) molecules

They are insoluble in water

Lipids vary in examples and their functions

• Fats – for long term energy storage and insulation

• Phospholipids – components of cell membranes

• Waxes – protection and insulation

• Steroids – cholesterol (structural) and hormones (varied functions)

Lipids - FatsFats is an example of a lipid that can be found in food

Saturated Fats: Have no double bonds in the fatty acid tails. All carbons are “saturated” with hydrogen.

•Solid at room temperature•Ex: butter, cream, cheese, fatty

meats, lard

Unsaturated Fats: Have one or more double bonds in the fatty acid tails. Carbons are unsaturated with hydrogen

•Liquid at room temperature•Ex: oils

ProteinsStructure

• Contains the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur

• Polymer of amino acids subunits

• 20 amino acids (similar structure, but different “R” group)

•Proteins are oftenreferred to aspolypeptides

Protein Formation

Proteins are created by the joining of amino acids by peptide bonds.

Condensation reaction (dehydration synthesis)

Order of amino acids determines the type and function of the protein

Protein Structure

Folding of protein determines the shape – 4 levels

Proteins: Examples and Functions•Keratin – structural component of outer layer or skin

(epidermis), hair and nails

•Collagen – in connective tissue found in tendons, ligaments, skin, cornea, cartilage, bone, blood vessels and the intestines

•Antibodies – proteins that identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses

•Hemoglobin – protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells

•Actin and Myosin – proteins involved in muscle contraction

•Enzymes – proteins that catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions

Nucleic AcidsStructure•Contains the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Phosphorous

•A polymer of nucleotides

Five nitrogenous bases•Adenine (A)•Thymine (T)•Guanine (G)•Cytosine (C)•Uracil (U)

**Order of the bases determines the sequence of nucleic acid

Nucleic Acids - ExamplesTwo Types

• DNA – stores genetic information

•A,T, C, G

• RNA – assists in translation of genetic information from DNA to protein

•A, U, G, C

Nucleic Acid Formation

Nucleic acids are created by the joining of nucleotides by phosphodiester bonds.

Condensation reaction (dehydration synthesis)