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Biological Molecules
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Biochemical Processes
Living things depend on biochemical processes
that involve chemical reactions among
biochemical compounds.
6 elements make up 99% of all living tissue and
combine to form the molecules that are the basis
of cellular function
Carbon
Carbon is especially important because:
•
It has 4 valence electrons
That form 4 covalent bonds
• They make very stable and
complex structures called
organic molecules
Organic vs. Inorganic
Molecules containing carbon are
organic molecules
Molecules without carbon are called
inorganic molecules.
Water is the most important inorganic molecule
in living organisms
Biomolecules are Macromolecules
“giant molecules”
Made up of smaller molecules
Polymerization: process of building
large compounds by joining smaller
compounds
These sub-units are called monomers
Combine to form polymers
Classes of Organic Molecules:
1) Carbohydrates
2) Lipids
3) Proteins
4) Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates
Include carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen (C, H, O) chains of carbons
with hydroxyl groups (-OH)
Main function: ENERGY source
Plants use carbs to help maintain
structure
Unneeded carbs are stored for later
use as a starch

Animals: glycogen
Carbohydrates
Monosaccharides



Simple sugars (one
sugar)
Monomers of carbs!
Ex:



Glucose
Galactose
Fructose
glucose
Carbohydrates
Disaccharides



Double sugars (2)
2 monosaccharides
joined together
Ex:

Glucose + fructose =
sucrose (table sugar)
sucrose
Carbohydrates
Polysaccharides



Polymers (MANY
monomers 10 plus)
Long chains of simple
sugars
Used for energy storage


Animals: glycogen
Plants: plant starch
starch
Lipids
Not soluble in water (hydrophobic)
Contain mostly C and H atoms (methyl, -CH,
units) and some O
Used to store energy
Found in biological membranes
Insulate and waterproof or organisms
Examples Include:
Fats
 Oils
 Waxes
 Steroids

Lipids
Composed of a glycerol
molecule and fatty acids
Saturated: each C atom is
joined to other C atoms by
single bonds
 Unsaturated: at least one
C to C double bond
 Polyunsaturated: more
than one double bond

Lipids
Unsaturated fats are usually liquid
Saturated fats are usually solid
Found as fats solids in animals and
oils in plants
Excess is linked to heart disease
Nucleic Acids
Found in the nucleus of all
living cells
The information that is
passed on from one
generation of cells to the next
Contain H, O, N, C, and P
Monomers: nucleotides
Nucleotides consist of



5-carbon sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogenous base

C, T, A, G
Nucleic Acids
Store and transmit genetic information
2 nucleic acids:
DNA
 RNA

Proteins
Contain N, C, H, O


One amino group (-NH2)
One carboxyl group (-COOH)
Monomers are amino acids
20 different amino acids in nature
 Joined by peptide bonds

2 amino acids form a dipeptide bond
 Additional amino acids form a polypeptide


Can join in any order– tremendous number
of combinations!
Proteins
Functions
Control rate of reactions
 Regulate cell processes
 Form bones and muscles
 Transport substances in or out of cells
 Fight diseases

Proteins
Four levels of organization
1- chain of amino acids
2- a chain that is twisted, coiled, folded, or
has hairpin turns
3- a chain that is itself folded into an intricate
3-dimentional structure
4- more than one folded chain bound
together each with a specific arrangement
Proteins
Proteins
The sequence and arrangement of the
amino acids determines the specific role
of the protein
Some are structural (Collagen forms
bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage)
Others are functional (Hormones such as
insulin and biochemical catalysts called
enzymes)
Proteins
Enzymes



Act as biological catalysts
Increase the rate of chemical reactions
Lowers activation energy

Energy needed to start a reaction
Composition of the Cell
Let’s Review!!
Macromolecule
Monomer
Elements
Function
Carbohydrate
monosaccharide
C, H, O
energy source
Lipid
glycerol + fatty acids
C, H, O
store energy; membranes
Nucleic Acid
nucleotide
H, O, N, C, P
genetic information
Protein
amino acid
N, C, H, O
rate of reaction, cell processes,
bone/muscle formation,
transport, fight disease
Biomolecule Structure