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 IMPORTANT!

Elements present: C, H, O (1:2:1 ratio)

Examples: Chocolate, Bread, Pasta,

Fruits, Vegetables (ALL FROM
PLANTS!!!)
 Sugars that make up Carbs
1. Monosaccharide
Carbohydrates broken down to mainly
glucose are the preferred source of energy
for our body, as cells in our brain, muscle
and all other tissues directly use
monosaccharides for their energy needs
Examples of monosaccharides include :
glucose (dextrose), fructose (levulose),
and galactose.
 Sugars that make up Carbs
2. Disaccharide ( double
sugars)

Disaccharides act as an energy source for

the body, just like any other carbohydrate.
When we eat foods that contain
disaccharides, our bodies break them
down into simple sugars
(monosaccharides) for absorption in the
small intestine.
Foods that contain the disaccharide
sucrose:
Maple syrup
Fondant
Cakes
Ice cream
Chocolate
Some salad dressings
Breakfast cereals
Sweet potato
Carrots
Mangos
Watermelon
Oranges
Peaches
Foods that contain the disaccharide
maltose:
Sweet potatoes
Beer
Spelt
Glucose syrup
Muesli bars
Crumpets
Instant coffee
Honey
Filo pastry
White flour
Sausage rolls
Foods that contain the disaccharide
lactose:
Milk
Bread
Pancakes
Cookies
Cakes
Breakfast cereals
Instant potatoes
Soups
Salad dressings
Margarine
Chips
Bacon
Sausage
Lunch meats
Protein powders
Coffee creamers and powdered milks
 Sugars that make up Carbs
3. Oligosaccharide
, any carbohydrate of from three to
six units of simple sugars
(monosaccharides)

Common oligosaccharides
include raffinose, stachyose, and
verbascose.
 Sugars that make up Carbs
Oligosaccharide Sources
can be found in relatively abundant levels
in legumes, whole grains, some
cruciferous vegetables, and some fruits..
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

Glycogen:
the Liver!

• 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)
#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!
 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!)
#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!