Macromolecules Notes

Elements and Atoms___________ is anything that has mass and takes up space.___________ are the basic building blocks of all matter.___________ are basic substances that cannot be broken down into other substances.___________ are formed by the joining of atoms of two or more elements. ___________ are composed of atoms of different elements chemically combined.

AtomsThe center of an atom is called the _____________.Consists of three subatomic particles called:___________: positive charge___________: neutral/no charge___________: negative charge BondingThe sharing of electrons in order to become stable is called ______________ bonding. (2 nonmetals)The gaining or losing of electrons in order to become stable is called _____________ bonding.( a metal with a nonmetal)

Inorganic Substances (means without _________)__________: substances that forms hydrogen (H) hydrogen ions in water. pH of 0-7.__________: substance that forms hydroxide ions (OH) in water. pH scale of 7-14.__________: Inorganic substances that typically contain Chlorine.

Organic Substances (means containing ___________). Many important molecules found in living things are enormous: they contain hundreds, thousands, or even millions of atoms. They are called macromolecules ("macro" means large). The four main groups of macromolecules found in living things are:________________: made up of simple sugarsExamples: _________________________________________________________________________: made up of nucleotidesExamples: _________________________________________________________________________: made up of a glycerol and at least 1 fatty acidExamples: _________________________________________________________________________: made up of amino acidsExamples: _________________________________________________________

The huge array of organic molecules in nature can be overwhelming. In this topic, we will focus on just four major groups of macromolecules found in living things: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Three of these types of macromolecules -- carbohydrates, lipids (fats), and proteins -- are listed on the nutritional labels of foods we eat every day. These three groups of macromolecules provide energy and materials for life. The molecules in the fourth group--nucleic acids--are not used as sources of energy, but they play other vital roles in cells.

The name "carbohydrate" tells you something about the elements found in these macromolecules. "Carbo" refers to carbon, while "hydrate" refers to water, which you know contains oxygen and hydrogen. Thus, the three major types of atoms in carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

The building blocks of carbohydrates are single sugars such as glucose or fructose, which each contain six carbon atoms. These simple sugars are used as sources of energy for almost all organisms. Through synthesis reactions, many simple sugars can bond together to build complex carbohydrates. One example of a complex carbohydrate is starch. Plants use starch as an energy storage molecule. In fact, starch is a common complex carbohydrate in many of the foods we eat.

You are probably familiar with a number of other carbohydrates. For example, fructose is a simple sugar found in fruit that is very sweet tasting. When fructose and glucose combine chemically, the result is the two-unit sugar called sucrose, or table sugar.

The second major class of macromolecules is lipids. Lipids are a diverse group, but their defining characteristic is that they do not easily dissolve in water. Organisms use lipids in cell membranes, to make hormones, and to store energy. One group of lipids that is familiar to you is fat: its major function is efficient energy storage. As you explore this animation, you will see the structure of fat. The molecules that make up fat are built from substances called fatty acids, which are joined by a linking molecule called glycerol. These specific molecules are called triglycerides because they contain three fatty acids.

To learn about another type of lipid that has a different function, explore this animation. Notice the structure of the type of lipid referred to as a phospholipid. What is different about phospholipids from the fats you learned about before?

Probably the most diverse group of macromolecules is the proteins. The building blocks of proteins are smaller molecules called amino acids. Explore some important characteristics of proteins in this animation. What element is in all amino acids that isn't in carbohydrates or fats? That's right: nitrogen.

Despite the wide variety of life on Earth, all living organisms use only 20 different amino acids to produce the proteins they require. Green plants can make all 20 essential amino acids on their own; animals cannot. Thus, animals, including humans, must get some of these essential amino acids from the foods they eat.

Describe Proteins =

Describe Amino Acids =

Cells make proteins to carry out what functions =

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A final group of macromolecules are the nucleic acids. Nucleic acids are critical for life, and they store important information within cells. Two types of nucleic acids are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). You'll learn more about DNA and RNA in upcoming topics.

For now, you should know that both DNA and RNA are made of building blocks called nucleotides. Nucleotides can join together to form a chain, or strand. Two DNA strands can join together in a specific way and then form a double helix. What does DNA do?1.

The information in DNA can also be copied and passed from one generation of organisms to the next. RNA usually stays as one strand. What does RNA do? 1.

What is DNA made up of?

You've come a long way in your understanding of macromolecules! Now, let's review some major concepts to make sure the big ideas stick. To do this, look at each of the molecules in this diagram, and answer these questions:What role does carbon play in each molecule?

What is the building block of each macromolecule?

Does the synthesis of the macromolecule require or release energy?

Does the breakdown of the macromolecule into simpler molecules require or release energy?