biomolecules. most common elements in living things carbon (c) hydrogen (h) oxygen (o) nitrogen (n)...
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Most Common Elements in Living Things
Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Sulfur (S)
Organic vs. Inorganic
organic chemistry is the chemistry of molecules and compounds that contain carbon (C)
organic = contains carbon (Life on earth is “carbon-based”.)
inorganic = does not contain carbon examples:
water (H2O) = inorganic
methane (CH4) = organic
4 Major Biomolecules (Biologically Important Macromolecules)
Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids
Biomolecules are Macromolecules
Biomolecules are called macromolecules because they are large. (macro = large)
Monomers and Polymers
Organic molecules come in two basic forms
monomers (like a bead) and
polymers (like a beaded necklace) mono = one mer = part
monomer = one part; a building block or subunit poly = many mer = part
polymer = many parts; long molecule made up of many monomers
Carbohydrates
organic compound consisting of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen (CHO)
Carbon:Hydrogen:Oxygen ratio = 1:2:1
form ring structures
commonly known as sugars (saccharides; simple and complex)
Carbohydrates cont.
Sugar names end in “–ose”
examples: glucose, fructose, sucrose
examples are sugar, rice, bread, potatoes
function to provide and store energy
monomers = monosaccharides
Monosaccharide = “one sugar”
examples of monosaccharides:
glucose- most basic sugar; important to all life
fructose (fruit sugar)
simple molecules available for immediate energy; quick energy
Disaccharide = “two sugars”
when two monosaccharides are linked together
examples of disaccharides
maltose (malt sugar) = glucose + glucose
sucrose (table sugar) = glucose + fructose
Polysaccharide = “many sugars”
large molecules that must be digested and broken down into individual glucose molecules before they can enter the cell
Polysaccharide = “many sugars”
examples of polysaccharidesglycogen – the form in which animals (including the human animal) store glucose
starch – the form in which plants store glucose; most common complex carbohydrate in our diets (pasta, bread, cereal, corn, potatoes)
cellulose – a structural form of glucose that is stronger and more rigid; forms plant’s cell walls
Lipids
Organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (CHO)
Carbon:Hydrogen:Oxygen ratio is NOT 1:2:1
Monomer = glycerol backbone & 3 fatty acids
Function = long term energy storage
Lipids cont.
Differ in structure from carbohydrates in that lipid structure is linear, sometimes “E” shaped
group contains triglycerides, phospholipids (main building blocks of cell membranes), and steroids (important in hormones)
Lipids cont.
examples include fats, oils, waxes
lipids repel water (non-polar)
also provides insulation to keep animals warm (blubber in whales) and in waterproofing (bird feathers)
Proteins
organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen (CHON)
monomers = amino acids (There are 20 different amino acids!)
monomers held to together by peptide bonds so a protein is also called a polypeptide
Protein cont.
functions to build and repair tissue and regulate metabolism (the chemical reactions in cells)
examples include meat/muscle, eggs, beans, milk, cheese
Enzymes
proteins that acts as a biological catalyst (speeds up chemical reactions in the cell)
– types of reactions
catabolic/catabolism – breaking moleculesanabolic/anabolism – making molecules
Enzymes
Enzyme names end in “-ase”
Examples:Catalase = enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the liverLactase = enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar)Amylase = enzyme in saliva that begins chemical digestion in the mouth
Nucleic Acids
organic compound composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus (CHONP)
the two nucleic acids areDNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Nucleic Acid cont.
monomers = nucleotides
a nucleotide is made of a phosphate group, a a nitrogenous base, and a 5-carbon sugar (PBS)
functions to store, transmit, and express genetic information (It is the instructions for the amino acid sequence in proteins. Proteins make you!)