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.
#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 strands Saturated Fats
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:
• Transport molecules in and out of the cell
• Control the speed of chemical reactions

• Used for growth and repair

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:
Genetic
DNA, RNA and ATP
Energy
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!