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Carbon Biochemistry: The
macro-molecules of Life
4 major groups of organic
macromolecules are found in living
things
Carbohydrates (C-H-O 1:2:1 ratio)
Lipids (C-H-O)
Proteins (C-H-O-N)…sometimes S
Nucleic Acids (C-H-O-N-P)
What is an organic molecule?
• Most carbon containing
compounds are classified as
organic, with the exception
of:
• Simple oxides of carbon:
• Carbonates
• Most organic compounds
contain C-H bonds (but Urea
doesn’t)
Where is carbon on the periodic
table?
Carbon has 4 valence electrons
Therefore it can have bond with up to 4 other atoms
All organic molecules have two parts:
The carbon backbone & the functional group
 Carbon has 4
valence electrons
 Carbon atoms can
form single, double,
or triple covalent
bonds
Hydrocarbon backbone
Hydrocarbon
chains form the
skeleton of many
macromolecules
What is a functional group?
The components of organic
molecules that are most
commonly involved in chemical
reactions are known as
functional groups
A functional group is a group of
atoms within a molecule that
interacts in predictable ways
with other molecules
Functional Groups
 Each functional group behaves consistently from one
organic molecule to another
 FUNCTIONAL GROUPS give organic molecules their
physical properties,their chemical
reactivity, & solubility in aqueous solutions
The Macromolecules of life
Macromolecules (but NOT lipids) are
POLYMERS
• Polymers consist of long chains of repeating units that
are either the same or similar to each other
(monomers)
• The individual units are called monomers
• Only 50 common monomers make up the thousands
of macromolecules responsible for life
• Polymers are distinguished by the different structure
of their monomers
• Just think how many words you can make out of the
26 letters of the alphabet….
Monomer v. Polymer
A monomer is a single molecular
unit. A polymer is a long chain of
many monomers.
Making and breaking polymers
• Polymers are synthesised from monomers
using condensation reactions; when 2
monomers are combined, one water
molecule is released
• Polymers are broken down into individual
monomers using hydrolysis; when a a
polymer is broken down after the addition
of water
Monomer units join together via
CONDENSATION REACTIONS
Hydrolysis: Breaking apart
macromolecules
Condensation and Hydrolysis
Reactions
• Condensation reactions join two sugar molecules
• hCondensation and hydrolysis
The major macromolecules of life
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Elements they
contain
C, H, O
C, H, O
C, H, O, N, (S)
Smaller molecules
they are made of
Monosaccharides
(simple sugars)
Glycerol plus fatty
acids
Amino acids
Solubility in water
Simple sugars are
soluble
insiluble
May be soluble OR
insoluble
Why organisms
need them
Easily available
energy (17 kJ/g)
Storage of energy
(39 kJ/g);
insulation; making
cell membranes
Making cells;
enzymes; immune
function;
haemoglobin
Some foods that
contain them
Bread, cakes,
potatoes, rice
Butter, oils,
peanuts, fatty meat
Meat, fish, eggs,
pulses. Tifu, milk,
cheese
Carbohydrates (polysaccharides)
are formed from monosaccharide
monomers
• Simple
monosaccharides
join through
condensation
reactions to make
glycosidic bonds
Proteins (polypeptides)
• Amino acids form polymers
(polypeptides/proteins)
• Peptide bonds are formed from condensation
reactions
Lipids are macromolecules, not
polymers…
• Ester bonds are formed by condensation
reactions
Carbohydrates
• The monomer is called a
monosaccharide (simple
sugar)
• Carbohydrates are
soluble in water
• It has the formula: a
1:2:1 ratio of C:H:O
Carbohydrates
• The polymer is called a polysaccharide
• The bond made by condensation reactions is a
glycosidic bond
• Examples of polysaccharides include starch, cellulose,
chitin
Proteins
• The monomer is called an
amino acid
 Amino acid structure: NH2 –
C-® - COOH
 Amino acids differ due to
the R (functional) group
 The structure of the Rgroup determines the
chemical properties of the
amino acid
 Proteins can be soluble OR
insoluble in water
Proteins
• The polymer is called a polypeptide
• The bond formed by a condensation reaction is a
peptide bond
• Examples of polypeptides include enzymes, keratin,
haemoglobin…
Lipids
• Lipids consist of a
glycerol molecule,
joined to 2 or three fatty
acid molecules by a
condensation reaction
• The bond formed is an
ESTER bond
• They are NOT polymers
• They are insoluble in
water
Glycerol
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Elements they
contain
C, H, O
C, H, O
C, H, O, N, (S)
Smaller molecules
they are made of
Monosaccharides
(simple sugars)
Glycerol plus fatty
acids
Amino acids
Solubility in water
Simple sugars are
soluble
insiluble
May be soluble OR
insoluble
Why organisms
need them
Easily available
energy (17 kJ/g)
Storage of energy
(39 kJ/g);
insulation; making
cell membranes
Making cells;
enzymes; immune
function;
haemoglobin
Some foods that
contain them
Bread, cakes,
potatoes, rice
Butter, oils,
peanuts, fatty meat
Meat, fish, eggs,
pulses. Tifu, milk,
cheese