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Macromolecules
Carbon Compounds

Carbon is an extremely versatile element.
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It has 4 valence electrons allowing it to bond with
almost any other element.
It can bond to other Carbon atoms, allowing it
to form chains.
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These carbon-carbon bonds can be single,
double or triple covalent bonds.
Chains can close up on themselves and form
rings.
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Every living organism has carbon in it
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Organic
Macromolecules
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Large molecules made from thousands of
smaller molecules.
Formed by polymerization:
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the building of large compounds by joining smaller
ones together.
Monomers- the smaller compounds.
Polymers- the larger compounds.
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Four groups of macromolecules (organic
compounds)
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carbohydrates
lipids
nucleic acids
proteins
3. Carbohydrates
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Compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen atoms.
These atoms are usually in a ratio of 1:2:1.
Living things use carbohydrates as a main
source of energy.
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Examples –
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Plants
Animals
Two types of Carbohydrates
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Monosaccharidessingle sugar molecules.
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Examples:
 glucose and galactose

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found in milk
Fructose

found in fruits
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Polysaccharides- large sugars formed from
monosaccharides.
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Examples: Starches
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Glycogen
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sugar storage molecule in animals
Cellulose

structural support in plants
4. Lipids
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Made mostly from carbon and hydrogen
atoms.
Not soluble in water. (does not dissolve in
water)
Consist of fats, steroids, oils and waxes
Used to store energy.

Some are important
parts of biological
membranes and
waterproof coverings.
Two types of lipids

Saturated fats- all
carbons have the
maximum number of
hydrogens attached to
them.

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Usually are solid at room
temperature
Ex: beef, lard, butter, milk
products
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Unsaturated fatscontain at least one
carbon-carbon double
covalent bond.
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Usually are liquid at room
temperature
Ex: cooking oils, nuts
5. Nucleic Acids
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Made up of hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, carbon
and phosphorus.
Formed from monomers
called nucleotides.
Nucleotides- When joined
together makeup the
structural units of DNA &
RNA.

Store and transmit hereditary or genetic
information.

RNA-ribonucleic acid
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contains the sugar ribose.
DNA-deoxyribonucleic acid
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contains the sugar deoxyribose
Proteins

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Made up of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen.
Formed from monomers called amino acids.
Examples of protein in nature:
Spider
Silk
Collagen
(in tennis
racket)
Hair
Feathers

Amino acids
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Building blocks of
proteins
compounds with an
amino group (-NH2) on
one end and a carboxyl
group (-COOH) on the
other end with a side
chain called an “R-group”
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Each protein has a specific role
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regulates cell processes
Enzymes – speed up the rate of reactions
forming muscles and bones
transporting substances into or out of cells
fighting disease