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The Molecules of Life
Biological Macromolecules
You Are What You Eat
What does this mean?
What Are Macromolecules?
Large organic molecules
• Organic = Contains mostly carbon!
– Carbon is special because it can make 4 bonds
– Make large chains or rings of carbon
methane
cholesterol
Glucose
Macromolecules Make Up Our Cells!
Macromolecules are Polymers
• Polymer = large molecule made up of
smaller subunits, or monomers.
Label the Monomer & Polymer
Monomer
Polymer
Monomer
Polymer
Polymer
Monomer
Come Up With Your Own Example!
(1) Carbohydrates: Structure
• Monomer (basic unit):
– Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
• Ex: glucose
– Disaccharides (2 simple sugars joined together)
• Ex: lactose
• Polymer (chain of units):
– Polysaccharides (complex carbs)
• Ex.: starch, cellulose, chitin, glycogen
Carbohydrates: Function
Provide body with energy!
• What should you eat before
playing the big game? Candy bar
or pasta?
– Candy bar: contains simple sugars,
provides a short burst of energy
– Pasta: contains starch which takes
longer to break down, provides
longer-lasting energy
*We can’t digest cellulose- it is
used as fiber, or roughage instead.
• Ex. : corn
Complex carb (ex. Starch)
Broken down to
disaccharides
Broken down further
Simple sugars (ex. Glucose)
Carbohydrates: Food Sources
• Simple carbs (simple
• Complex carbs (like
sugars) are found in most
starches) are found in
candy and sweet drinks,
pasta, bread, potatoes,
fruit, vegetables, and milk. legumes & corn. They take
They are quickly digested
longer to digest, and
and give a short burst of
provide energy longer.
energy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhUrc4BnPgg
(2) Lipids: Structure
• Monomers (basic unit):
– Glycerol + Fatty Acids
• Polymer (chain of units):
– Triglyceride
Lipids: Function
• Long-term energy storage
• Form cell membranes
• Produce waterproofing covering in cells/tissues
Lipids: Food Sources
1. Fats (Saturated)
–
–
–
–
From animals (solid fats)
Single bonds between C-atoms
Difficult to break down
From meats (fish, eggs, beef, chicken,
pork, etc.)
2. Oils (Unsaturated)
–
–
–
–
Usually liquids
At least 1 double bond between C-atoms
Easier to break down
From vegetables (canola oil, vegetable
oil, olive oil, avocado, peanuts, almonds.
(3) Nucleic Acids: Structure
• Monomers (basic unit):
– nucleotides
• Polymers (chain of units):
– DNA and RNA
Nucleic Acids: Function
• Stores and transmits genetic information
Nucleic Acids: Food Sources
• We get nucleic acid components from
vitamins and minerals in our diet. These
in turn, come from fruits, vegetables,
grains, meats, & almost anything else you
can think of with some nutritional value
(no junk food!).
Protein: Functions
• Move substances in and
• Control cell processes
our of cells
• Control rate of reactions
• Help fight diseases
(4) Proteins: Structure
• Monomer (basic unit):
– amino acids
• 20 different kinds!*
• Polymer (chain of units):
– Protein (polypeptides)
Polypeptide
(chain of
amino acids)
Protein
(a bunch of
polypeptides)
Protein: Food Sources
• Proteins are found in meat, fish, legumes,
nuts, milk, eggs, grains and soy products.
• There are 6 amino acids that our bodies
cannot make- we can only get these from
food.