Macromolecules

➢ Carbohydrates
➢ Lipids
➢ Proteins
➢ Nucleic Acids

Building blocks
Of life
Science Is Real© by Ana Ulrich 2016
 What’s The big Deal About Carbon?

No other element comes close to matching carbon’s

versatility!

These Mighty Atoms: Benzene

• Can form millions of different large and

complex structures.
• Easily Bond with elements and each
other
• Can form chains and rings.
• Can form single, double, or triple bonds
 Macromolecules
AKA Organic molecules or biomolecules

Macromolecules are large organic compounds formed from hundreds or thousands of

smaller molecules.

• Small molecules that join together are monomers. (mono means “one”). Monomers
are like links in a chain.
• When monomers join together they form long polymers. (poly means “many).
Polymers are chains of monomers.
 Polymers

Think of polymers as a beaded necklace. Like the different beads on this necklace,
polymers can be made from different monomers.

How many different “monomers” make up this necklace?

6
 What are the groups of
macromolecules?
Macromolecules in living
things are grouped based on
their chemical compositions

4 Main Macromolecules are:

• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Nucleic Acids
 CARBOHYDRATES!
AKA: Sugars and Starches
Usually colorless, water soluble, and crystalized.

Composed of: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen Atoms (CHO)

Monomer: Monosaccharaides
Polymer: Disaccharides and Polysaccharides
 CARBOHYDRATES!
Carbohydrates are classified in groups
based on number of different molecules.
1 Molecule - Monosaccharaide

2 Molecules - Disaccharides

3 or More Molecules – Polysaccharides

 Functions of CARBOHYDRATES

1. Readily Available Source of

Short Term Energy. QUICK!
2. Energy Storage
• Glycogen stores energy in animals
-liver and muscle cells
• Starch stores energy in plants
3. Structural
Cell Walls in Bacteria and Plants
Exoskeletons of Insects, Arthropods, and Crustaceans.
 Monosaccharide
Carbohydrates
AKA: Simple Sugars
Glucose Examples:
• Glucose - “Blood Sugar” immediately used
• Fructose - In Fruits
*Hint* “Mono” Means One!

Fructose
 Polysaccharide
Carbohydrates
AKA: Complex Carbohydrates
What does “poly” mean?
Examples:
• Glycogen: Energy storage in animals.
• Starch: Energy storage in plants
• Cellulose: Builds cell walls for plants
 Lipids!
AKA: Fats, Oils, and Waxes

Composed of: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms (CHO)

Monomer: Fatty Acids & Glycerol

Polymer: Fats, Oils, Waxes

Functions:
• Stores Energy in Long Term
• Make Up Cell Membranes
• Steroids
Examples:
• Fats & Oils: Energy Storage
• Waxes: Repel Water
• Steroids: Cholesterol, Sex Hormones, and Cortisol
• Phospholipid Cell Membranes: Protect and Regulate Cell Homeostasis
**Lipids are generally NOT soluble in water.**
 Polymer: Phospholipids
• Make up cell membranes.

• Phospholipids pair up to
create a protective
phospholipid bilayer.
By bradleyhintz
 Proteins All Amino Acids
Contain an Amino
The Most Diverse Group & Carboxyl
Macromolecule Group Group

Composed of: Carbon, Hydrogen,

Oxygen, and Nitrogen Atoms (CHON)

Monomer: Amino Acids

Polymer: Polypeptide
Functions:
• Form Cell Structures
• Transport Substances In and Out of
Cells
• Enzymes control the rate of reactions Enzymes Control
Reaction Rates
• Hormones to Regulate Cell Processes
• Defense Against Disease (antibodies)
 Protein structure and function
Amino acids link together to form a polypeptide.

About 20 Amino Acids are found in nature.

A protein is built from one or more polypeptides.
Formed by RNA
 Nucleic Acids!
Composed Of: Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
(CHONPS)

Monomer: Nucleotides
Polymer: Nucleic Acids
Functions:
• Store and Transmit Hereditary or
Genetic Information - DNA
• Protein Synthesis – RNA(LOOK UP SYNTHESIS in GLOSSARY!!)
 CHONP! Nucleic acids
Nucleic Acids that make up DNA and RNA
are made of 3 parts:
1. Monosaccharide:
• DNA- deoxyribose
• RNA- ribose
2. Phosphate Group
3. Nitrogenous Base
• cytosine, guanine,
adenine, thymine, uracil