BIOMOLECULES

LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION…
We will be repeating these ALL year!

Yesterday:

Atoms  Molecules  Macromolecules…

Today we will dig into the four macromolecules

that are essential for life to exist.
What are the 4 biomolecules?
• Carbohydrates
TODAY
• Lipids
• Nucleic Acids
• Proteins TOMORROW

WE TYPICALLY GET BIOMOLECULES FROM FOOD…

THIS IS WHY WE MUST EAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!
THE BIOMOLECULES SERVE TO KEEP ORGANISMS ALIVE.
#1: CARBOHYDRATES
ARE SUGARS!

We get 4 kilocalories per gram

of carb that we eat!
 What are Carbohydrates?
 Most common organic molecule
 Function: Primary energy source our body needs
 Elements present: C, H, O (1:2:1 ratio) IMPORTANT!
 Monomer (building block):
Monosaccharides (Glucose is most common)
 Polymer: Polysaccharides (starch, Glycogen,
Cellulose, Chitin)
 Examples: Chocolate, Bread, Pasta, Fruits,
Vegetables (ALL FROM PLANTS!!!)
Sugars that make up Carbs
 Single sugar: monosaccharide
 Ex: glucose , fructose (in fruits)
2 monosaccharides: disaccharide
 Ex: maltose, sucrose
 3+ monosaccharides: polysaccharide
 Ex: Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose, and Chitin

I am a
polysaccharide!
Types of polysaccharides
 Starch:
 Used for energy storage in plants
 Potatoes, pasta and rice are starches

 They provide a quick form of energy for the

body
I am
formed in
the Liver!
Glycogen:
• Used for energy storage in animals
More Polysaccharides
Cellulose:
• Provides structural
support in plants (found
in the cell wall)
GIVES US FIBER!!!

Chitin:
• Found in exoskeletens of
arthropods (insects,
spiders)
• Found in cell wall of
some fungi
Structure of Carbohydrates
• Remember: Elements are C, H, and O
• Primarily in a Ring shape (but not always)
 Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand, do
not shout out!
#2: LIPIDS
ARE FATS

We get 9 kcals per gram

Of fat that we consume.
 Lipids
 Function: Store energy, Insulates
your body, and make up the cell
membrane!
 Elements: C-H-O
 Monomer (Building blocks): glycerol
& 3 fatty acids
 Polymer: Phospholipids,
triglycerides
 Example: Steroids, cholesterol, fats,
Oils, Nuts, Waxes, and make up part
of the cell membrane!
 Lipids
Lipids are Hydrophobic (water fearing) and do
not dissolve in water!
Important!
• Lipids can be:
• Saturated: The bonds between all the carbons
are single bonds.
• Solid at room temperature
• Mainly animal fats (bacon grease, lard)

• Unsaturated: There is at least one double or triple

bond between carbons present.
• Liquid at room temperature
• Mainly plant based fats (olive oil, peanut oil) as
well as oily fish (Tuna, Sardines)
Lipid Structure
 Remember:
Elements
present are
C, H, O
 Long Saturated Fats

strands of
Carbon and
Hydrogen
Unsaturated Fats

CALLED
HYDROCARBONS!
 Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand, do
not shout out!
BIOMOLECULES PART 2
PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS!
#3: PROTEINS
BUILD US

We get 4 kcals per gram

Of protein that we consume.
Proteins
• Function of proteins
• Transport molecules in and out of the cell
• Control the speed of chemical reactions
• Used for growth and repair

Proteins make up the structure of living things…

Hair, nails, skin, bones, muscle, etc are all built by protein!
Proteins NITROGEN IS PRESENT, NOW!
 Elements: C-H-O-N
 Monomer (Building Block):
amino acids (20 different
ones!)
 Polymer: proteins (tons)
 Examples of proteins:
hemoglobin in red blood
cells, albumin in eggs,
enzymes that control
reactions in the body, and
antibodies
 Found in: fish, eggs, meat
Protein Structure
 Remember: Elements are C, H, O, and N
 “R” groups represent one of the 20 Amino
Acids! (so, each amino acid has
something different in that spot)
Why are amino acids important?
• When groups of amino acids are joined
together a protein is formed
• There are 20 kinds of amino acids
• They consist of a carboxyl group (COOH)
and an amino group NH2
• Peptide bonds form between amino acids
(polypeptide = many peptide bonds = protein!)
 Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand, do
not shout out!
#4: NUCLEIC ACIDS

These biomolecules are not

necessarily from food
Nucleic acids
Function:
• Provide our genetic information
• Holds the instructions to make proteins.
Elements: C-H-O-N-P
Monomer : nucleotides
• A nucleotide is made up of:
• Sugar
• Phosphate
• Nitrogen Base: A, T, G, C, or U
Polymer: DNA, RNA and ATP
Energy
Genetic
carrier
code! Recipe for
proteins
Structure of Nucleic Acid
Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand,
do not shout out!