Download macromolecules

Chemistry of Life Unit
Chapter 2-3
INTRODUCTION
TO
MACROMOLECULES
MACROMOLECULES
1)
2)
3)
“Macro” =????
Macromolecules are “giant molecules”
Formed through polymerization
a. The prefix “poly” refers to many
b. Large compounds are formed by joining
together smaller compounds
c. Smaller units are called monomers
d. Monomers join together to form larger
polymers
Small
monomers
may be
identical or
different
Monomers
are linked
together like
beads on a
necklace to
form the
polymer
MACROMOLECULES cont….
4) Also known as Organic Molecules
a. Contain the element carbon
 Can bond with many elements
 Including: Hydrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, sulfur and nitrogen
 Can bond with 4 elements at once
 Can form chains, rings, and complex structures
b. Found in living organisms
c. Sometimes called “biomolecules”
MACROMOLECULES

4 Types of Macromolecules
1. Lipids
2. Carbohydrates
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
Lipids
Examples: Fats, oils, waxes & steroids
 Function: Waterproof coverings of cells,
can be used for long-term energy storage.
 Elements: Mostly carbon and hydrogen with
some oxygen.
 Monomer: 3 fatty-acids and 1 glycerol
 Polymer: Lipids

– Unsaturated Fats: Liquid at room temperature due to
double bonds (bent structure)
– Saturated Fats: Solid at room temperature and no
double bonds (full of hydrogen)
Lipids
Carbon
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Long
Chain
Structure
Smaller monomers linked to form a larger polymer
Carbohydrates
Examples: Sugars & Starches
 Function: Main source of energy in living
things. Also structural purposes in plants.
 Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
in a 1:2:1 ratio (ex. C6H12O6)
 Monomer: Monosaccharides

– Simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and
galactose

Polymer: Polysaccharides (starches)
– Cellulose: Plant starch
– Glycogen: Animal Starch
Carbon
Carbohydrates
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Ring
Structure
Smaller monomers linked to form a larger polymer
Proteins
Examples: Hair, nails and enzymes
 Function: Form muscles & bones,
transport substances and control the rate
of reactions in the body.
 Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and
nitrogen
 Monomer: Amino Acids
 Polymer: Protein
 Structure: Long chains of amino acids

– 4 Levels of Structure
Proteins
Long Chain
Structure
Hydrogen
Carbon
Complex
Folded
Structures
Oxygen
Folded
Structure
Nitrogen
Smaller monomers linked to form a larger polymer
Nucleic Acids
Examples: DNA & RNA
 Function: Store and transmit genetic
information
 Elements: Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen and phosphorus
 Monomer: Nucleotide (sugar, phosphate & nitrogen base)
 Polymer: Nucleic Acid
 Structure: Long chains of nucleotides found
in a twisted or folded structure

Nucleic Acids
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Ring
Structure
Carbon
Hydrogen
Folded Structure
Smaller monomers linked to form a larger polymer
VOCABULARY RECAP
 Macromolecules
 Carbohydrate
 Monomer
 Monosaccharide
 Polymer
 Polysaccharide
 Organic
 Lipid
 Fatty
Acid
 Glycerol
 Unsaturated Fat
 Saturated Fat
 Cellulose
 Glycogen
 Protein
 Amino
Acid
 Nucleic Acid
 Nucleotide