Download Macromolecules: Fundamental Components of Life

Macromolecules:
What cells are made of
CA BIOLOGY STANDARD:
Students know most macromolecules
(polysaccharides, nucleic acids, proteins,
lipids) in cells and organisms are synthesized
from a small collection of simple precursors.
A Macromolecule is…


An extremely large molecule, called a
polymer, made up of many smaller molecules
called monomers. They are found in your cells,
tissues and the food you eat.
They are composed of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous.
4 types of Macromolecules:
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Polymers and Monomers


Poly=many (polymer = many molecules
strung together)
Mono=one (monomer = one molecule)
Carbohydrates
•Composed of C, H and O
atoms in a C1H2O1 ratio.
•3 types- monosaccharides,
disaccharides, polysaccharides
FUNCTIONS:
•Used for Energy (50%-60% of
your calories should come from
carbs!)
•Used for Cell Structure
•In plant cell walls
•In insect exoskeletons
3 Types of Carbohydrates
Simple Carbohydrates
 Monosaccharides


(Mono = “one”
saccharide = sugar)
Disaccharides

(Di = “two”)
Complex Carbohydrates
 Polysaccharides

(Poly = “many”)
Monosaccharide = One sugar
 Function:
ENERGY
FOR CELLS!
 Examples:
glucose (plants)
 fructose (fruit)
 dextrose (corn)
 galactose (milk)

GLUCOSE!
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“Gly-”, “Glu-” = Greek for
sweet
“-ose” = sugar
Glucose is synthesized
during photosynthesis
by plants.
It is required by cells for
energy during cellular
respiration.
GLUCOSE MOLECULE
Disaccharides = Two
monosaccharides bonded
together

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FUNCTION: ENERGY FOR
CELLS!
Example:



Sucrose (table sugar) =
glucose + fructose
Lactose (milk sugar) =
glucose + galactose
Maltose (malt sugar) =
glucose + glucose
Polysaccharides are long strings of
monosaccharides bonded together.
Three types:

Starch- Energy  Can be digested; Plants store
extra glucose as starch
EX: potato, rice, grains, pasta, vegetables


Fiber- Can’t be digested by humans  prevents
constipation and colon cancer and clogged arteries
Found in structure of plants = cellulose
EX: oat bran, skin of fruits, whole grains, vegetables
Glycogen- used to store extra glucose in the liver for
times when you haven’t eaten!
Monomers are joined together by
condensation reactions to create
polymers.
A condensation reaction is a chemical
reaction in which two molecules react with
each other with the concurrent loss of a
molecule of water.
Polymers are broken apart by
hydrolysis reactions.
Hydrolysis is a
chemical
process in
which a
molecule is
cleaved into
two parts by
the addition of
a molecule of
water.
Nucleic
Acids



Store and
transmit
genetic
material
(genes).
2 types: DNA
and RNA
Monomers
are called
nucleotides.
How do you build a
Nucleic Acid?

The building
blocks of nucleic
acids are
nucleotides
containing a
nitrogenous
base, sugar and
a phosphate.
Draw and label a nucleotide!
P = Phosphate
S = Sugar
G = Nitrogenous
Base
Lipids are fats, waxes, sterols,
fat-soluble vitamins


Lipids are hydrophobic (scared
of water) and non-polar
Functions:
 Energy storage
 Cell membranes
 Hormone formation
 Healthy skin and hair
 Insulation and protection of
body organs
What does a lipid look like?

Lipids are made up of 3 fatty acids attached
to a glycerol molecule
Saturated fats are…
Fats that have no double bonds between the
carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain and are
thus fully saturated with hydrogen atoms.
Atherosclerosis
The process of the arteries becoming
progressively narrower.
Caused
by eating
too many
saturated
fats
Actual Clogged Artery!
Unsaturated Fats are…

Fats in which there is at least one double
bond within the fatty acid chain.

A fat molecule is monounsaturated if it contains
one double bond, and polyunsaturated if it
contains more than one double bond. Where
double bonds are formed, hydrogen atoms are
eliminated.
Proteins (polypeptides) are made of
amino acids joined by peptide bonds in a
linear chain and folded into a globular form.
FUNCTIONS:
 Enzymes that speed up
biochemical reactions
 Provide structure and
support:



Actin and myosin in muscle
Cytoskeleton- maintains cell
shape.
Components of skin, hair and
nails (keratin), ligaments,
tendons
How do we build proteins?



Made up of many amino acids
There are 20 different amino acids!
Different order of amino acids produces a different
structure and function.
Draw an amino acid!
The Bottom Line

All of these Macromolecules are synthesized
(made) from simple precursors (building blocks):
 Monosaccharides
make up Polysacharides
 Amino acids make up Proteins
 Fatty acids and Glycerol make up Lipids
 Nucleotides make up Nucleic Acids
Exit Slip

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What are the four macromolecules that are
necessary for life?
Polysaccharides are made up of ______?
Proteins are made up of ________?
Lipids are made up of _________?
Nucleic acids are made up of _________?
HW: Read Ch. 2.3 and do the
section review.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
MACROMOLECULE MODEL
AND VIDEO



Choose one of the macromolecules.
Use a visual- drawing or something else.
Create a short educational video (30
seconds) explaining the important aspects of
your macromolecule. (see your worksheet)
HOMEWORK: Read 2-4 on
Enzymes and answer the
section review.