Download Nucleic Acids - Spring Branch ISD

Biomolecules Notes
Words to remember:
Macromolecule- a very large molecule
Monomer- a single unit or building block
Polymer- a chain of monomers joined chemically in a dehydration synthesis reaction (a Hydrogen of one monomer joins with an OH- of
another monomer and creates water as a byproduct. The remaining “loose ends of the two monomer join together)
Molecule- a chemically bonded combination of 2 or more atoms Ex: O2, H2O, C6H12O6
Compound- a chemically bonded combination of 2 or more DIFFERENT atoms Ex: H2O, C6H12O6
Biomolecule- a molecule produced by a living thing (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids)
Organic compound- a group of molecules that contain Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen
Proteins- (Greek: proteios means most important) Most structurally sophisticated biomolecule. Make up
50% of the dry mass of the cell.
A protein monomer is called an Amino Acid. Humans require 20 amino acids, but only can produce 10 internally.
The other ten are acquired through food.
Structure:
Amino Acid Monomer
Amino Group
Amino Acid Polymer (polypeptide)
Carboxyl Group
R- group (variable (X))
Protein Folding:
Bonds between monomer are called Peptide bonds they
are formed through dehydration synthesis
Protein Functions:
Collagen- bone, cartilage, tendons (structure and
support)
Keratin- hair, nails, skin
Antibodies- in the immune system to fight foreign
invaders
Insulin- hormone that regulates blood sugar
(hormones are involved in chemical reactions and
cellular communication)
Hemoglobinused for
transport
of iron inthat
thespeed
blood up
Enzymes- a major
category
of proteins
reactions by lowering “activation energy” (catalyst)
Enzyme examples: lipase (hydrolysis of lipids), Sucrase (hydrolysis of sucrose), lactase (hydrolysis of lactose),
Amylase ( hydrolysis of starch)
Enzyme helpers are co-enzymes such as vitamins.
Substrates are the reactants that bond to the active site.
Problems:
1. Enzymes denature. That means they change in shape by breaking 3o bonds. This can happen due to
temperature or pH change. It is irreversible.
2. Competitive inhibitors: another chemical blocks the active site. May be unusable.
Carbohydrates:They are “built out of sugars”.
Functions:



To act as ready energy or fuel
The aid in cellular interactions in the membrane
To aid structure to cells as cellulose
Structure:
Tend to have a 1C:2H:1O ratio
Monosaccharides-(Greek- monos sacchar means one sugar) Ex: glucose, fructose, deoxyribose
Monosaccharides range from 3-7 carbons
in their “backbone”
Glucose functions in the formation of
ATP during cellular respiration. It serves
as raw materials for amino acids (protein
monomers) and fatty acids (lipids)
C6H12O6
Disaccharide-(2 monosaccharides joined through dehydration) Ex: sucrose, lactose
The link between monosaccharides is called a glycosidic linkage (covalent bond)
Polysaccharide- long chains of sugar. They are used as storage. Ex: Starch (plants) and glycogen (animals)
The chains can be singular or branched.
Lipids: fats, oils, waxes.
A group of biomolecules that are insoluble in water. (they do not dissolve in
water)they are not considered true polymers.
Functions:



an abundant and concentrated source of energy
cushions vital organs
insulates the body
Structure: insoluble in water
Glycerol joins with 3 fatty acid to create a triglyceride and 3 left over water molecules. (dehydration synthesis)
Phospholipids: create a selectively permeable membrane. (this means it only allows certain substances to travel
past it.
Hydrophobic- water fearing
Glycerol
Glycerol
Hydrophilic-water loving
Steroids: are chemical messengers
Pheromones: are lipid molecules used by organisms to attract mates, mark territory, or as defense/alarm
chemicals
Vitamins that are lipids:
A- vision, hair loss
K- blood clotting
E- Would healing, fertility
D- metabolism, bone growth
Nucleic Acids:
Functions:


store and pass on genetic information from one generation to the next
give instructions on how to synthesis (make) proteins
Structure:
Monomer- nucleotide
In this model the base is Adenosine. It could one of five
choices.: Adenosine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine, or Uracil
More Specifically:
Polymer:
DNA- Double strand Helix
RNA-Single strand
Contains Thymine, not Uracil
Contains Uracil
Used Deoxyribose sugar
Used ribose sugar