Download Organic Molecules - Riverdale Middle School

What Compounds Do Cells
Need?
Carbohydrates – Organic Molecule
• Made of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen
• Short term energy storage –
body uses first
• Makes up cell wall and cell
membrane
• Fruits, breads, pasta, rice,
potatoes, candy, and cookies
• Examples:
– starches - large sugar
molecules that store excess
energy
– glucose (sugar) – body breaks
down starches into glucose
when eaten; cells use to
get
energy
– cellulose – found in cell walls of
plants
Proteins – Organic Molecule
• Made of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen
• Makes up many cell structures
(cell membrane and parts of
the organelles)
• Responsible for many cell
functions
• Enzymes – a group of proteins
that speed up chemical
reactions
• Meat, dairy products, fish, nuts,
and beans
• Examples:
– Amylase – an enzyme in saliva
that speeds up the digestion of
starch
– Keratin – provides structural
support; found in hair, nails,
horns, feathers
Lipids – Organic Molecule
• Made of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen
• Long term energy
storage – body uses last
• Makes up most of the
cell membrane
• Fats, oils, and waxes
• Whole milk, ice cream,
and fried foods
• Examples:
– Cholesterol – found in
your blood
– Phosopholipids – make
up cell membrane
Nucleic Acids – Organic Molecule
• Made of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, phosphorus, and
nitrogen
• Contain the instructions
that cells need to carry out
all the functions of life
• Red meat, shellfish,
mushrooms, and peas
• Examples:
– DNA – genetic material
that carries information
about an organism; directs
cell functions; found in the
cell’s nucleus
– RNA – makes proteins
Water – Inorganic Molecule
• Made of hydrogen and
oxygen
• Used for many
chemical reactions in
the cell
• Helps cells keep their
shape
• Regulates cell
temperature
• Carries substances into
and out of cells
• About 2/3 of the
human body is made of
water