The Building Blocks of Life

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The Building Blocks of Life

• Organic Molecules
• Chapter 3

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What Are Macromolecules?

• Crash Course Biology Biological Molecules

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Organic Molecules

• All organisms are composed of organic molecules
  which contain carbon.
• Organic molecules are made of smaller units that
  bond to form larger molecules.
• These bonds result in a variety of important
  organic compounds that can be in the shape of
  straight chains, branched chains, and rings.

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Organic Molecules

• Monomers small molecule that can bond or
  chemically combine with other monomers
• Polymers molecules made from repeating units of
  monomers

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Organic Molecules

• Energy is stored in the bonds of organic
  molecules.
• The amount of energy will vary from molecule to
  molecule, therefore not all organic molecules
  have the same amount of energy available for use.
• The energy stored in organic molecules determines
  its caloric value.

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• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Fats and Lipids
• Nucleic Acids

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Proteins

• Made of small chains of amino acids.
• Amino acids are composed of carbon, hydrogen,
  oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
• There are 20 different amino acids.
• Proteins are made of different combinations of
  all 20 different amino acids.
• A proteins primary structure is determined by
  the number and order of amino acids in a chain.

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Proteins
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Proteins

• Make up about 15 of total body mass
• Involved in nearly every function of your body.
• Cells contain proteins that provide structural
  support, transport substances, communicate
  signals, speed up chemical reactions, and control
  cell growth.

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Proteins

• As a source of energy, proteins have the same
  caloric value per gram as carbohydrates.
• Proteins can function as a source of energy only
  if there is a shortage of carbohydrates or lipids.

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Proteins

• Protein structure is related to its function.
• Structural Proteins support
• Transport Proteins transport substances
• Hormone Proteins coordinate body activities
• Contractile Proteins help control movement
• Enzymes speed up chemical reactions

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Proteins

• Storage albumin (egg white)
• Transport hemoglobin
• Regulatory hormones
• Movement muscles
• Structural membranes, hair, nails
• Enzymes cellular reactions

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Carbohydrates

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Sugars and starches.
• Basic carbohydrates are monosaccharides (simple
  sugars).
• Monosaccharides can be linked to form
  disaccharides which can then be linked to form
  polysaccharides.
• Ex) Glucose, Sucrose, Glycogen

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Carbohydrates
Glucose
Sucrose
Glycogen
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Carbohydrates

• Main energy source for the cell.
• The caloric value of carbohydrates is dependent
  on the number of carbon-hydrogen bonds.
• Cellulose in plants is used as a structural
  material.

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Lipids

• Made mostly of carbon and hydrogen.
• Fats, oils, and waxes.
• Composed of fatty acids, glycerol, and other
  components.
• Saturated fatty acid tails contain single bonds
  between carbon atoms (bad)
• Unsaturated fatty acid tails have at least one
  double bond between carbon atoms (good)

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Lipids
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Lipids

• Triglycerides fat if solid at room temperature
  and oil is liquid at room temperature
• Phospholipids structure and function of cell
  membrane
• Steroids cholesterol and hormones

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Lipids

• Primary function is to store energy.
• Important when carbohydrates are scarce.
• Fats contain more energy per gram than
  carbohydrates and proteins therefore they have a
  greater caloric value.
• Provide long-term energy storage, cushion vital
  organs, and insulation for the body.
• Major component of cell membranes.

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Nucleic Acids

• Complex macromolecules that store and transmit
  genetic information.
• Made of smaller repeating subunits called
  nucleotides.
• Composed of carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, and
  hydrogen.
• Examples DNA and RNA

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Nucleic Acids