Download Macromolecules

What do these words mean?
Polymer….
Polygons
Polyester
Polygamy
A Polymer
Here are some analogies to better
understand what polymers and monomers
are….
EXAMPLE of
POLYMER
A TRAIN
A PEARL NECKLACE
MONOMER
?
?
Now you and a neighbor come up with 2
of your own!
Macromolecules
 Large Molecules
 Macromolecules are formed when
monomers are linked together to
form longer chains called polymers.
 The same process of making and
breaking polymers is found in all
living organisms.
Condensation Reaction
 Consider some generic monomers with OH groups on
their ends.
 These monomers can be linked together by a process
called dehydration synthesis (also called a
condensation reaction) in which a covalent bond
is formed between the two monomers while a water
molecule is also formed from the OH groups.
 This reaction is catalyzed by a polymerase enzyme.
 This same type of condensation reaction can occur to
form many kinds of polymers, from proteins to
carbohydrates, nucleic acids to triglycerides.
Hydrolysis Reactions
 Polymers of all sorts can be broken
apart by hydrolysis reactions. In
hydrolysis the addition of a water
molecule (with the help of a
hydrolase enzyme) breaks the
covalent bond holding the monomers
together.
Four major types of
Macromolecules




Lipids
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
Four major types of
Macromolecules




Lipids
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
Diverse groups of
molecules in
Sugars
nonpolymorphic
Nucleotides
form
Amino Acids
Look at the label to the left. 3
of the 4 macromolecules can
be found in foods.
The 3 biochemical molecules
found on a nutrition label
are:
1____________________
(0 grams in this product)
(13 grams in this product)
2____________________
(9 grams in this product)
3____________________
Proteins
 Proteins consist of one or more polymers
called polypeptides, which are made by
linking amino acids together with peptide
linkages.
 Peptide linkages are formed through
condensation reactions.
 All proteins are made from the same 20
amino acids.
 Different amino acids have different
chemical properties.
Proteins
 Protein’s primary structure largely
determines its secondary, tertiary
(and quaternary) structure.
 Proteins subjected to extreme
conditions (large changes in pH, high
temperatures, etc.) often denature.
They are the major structural molecules in living things
for growth and repair : muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones,
hair, skin, nails…IN FACT ALL CELL MEMBRANES have
protein in them
They make up antibodies in the immune system
They make up enzymes for speeding chemical reactions
They makeup non-steriod hormones which
THINK: Proteins= membranes, enzymes, antibodies, nonsteriod hormones, structural molecules, “MEANS”
Proteins
Carbohydrates
 Carbohydrates are always composed of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules
 Monosaccharides typically have five or
six carbon atoms.
 Monosaccharides can, such as the ribose
and deoxyribose of RNA and DNA, can
serve very important functions in cells. Ex.
Glucose- blood sugar
 Fructose- sugar in fruit
They are the main source for the body to gain energy.
They are our fuel!
They make up the cell wall in plants which allow them
to grow tall, without this carbohydrate, a plant would be
a mushy mess! This type of carbohydrate is called
Cellulose.
Monosaccharides are the monomers for the larger
polysaccharides.
Polysaccharides play various roles, from energy storage
(starch, glycogen) to structure (cellulose).
Nucleic Acid





Two types of nucleic acids:


DNA
RNA

the purines
DNA stores the genetic information of organisms; RNA is used to
transfer that information into the amino acid sequences of
proteins.
DNA and RNA are polymers composed of subunits called
nucleotides.
Nucleotides consist of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and
a nitrogenous base.
Five nitrogenous bases found in nucleotides:



adenine (A)
guanine (G)



cytosine (C)
thymine (T) (DNA only)
uracil (U) (RNA only)
the pyrimidines
Nucleic Acid
 DNA is transmitted from generation
to generation with high fidelity, and
therefore represents a partial picture
of the history of life.
Nucleic Acid
Lipids
 Fatty acids, which make up fats and
oils, can be saturated or unsaturated,
depending on the absence or presence
of double bonded carbon atoms.
 Other types of lipids are used for a
other purposes, including pigmentation
(chlorophyll, carotenoids), repelling
water (cutin, suberin, waxes) and
signaling (cholesterol and its
derivatives).
They are a great source of STORED ENERGY so we
have it in the future.
They INSULATE the body to maintain normal body
temperature and they CUSHION the internal organs for
protection.
They produce hormones for the body called
STERIODS
They waterproof surfaces of animals,plants, and
fruits- these are waxes!
Lipids
 Triglyceride is composed of 3 fatty
acid and 1 glycerol molecule
 Long hydrocarbon chain of each fatty
acid makes the triglyceride molecule
nonpolar and hydrophobic
Lipids