Macromolecules in

Biology
(also known as Biomolecules)
• Molecule: group of atoms bonded together
Examples: Water (H2O) and Salt (NaCl)
are common molecules
• Organic compounds: these are molecules
that contain carbon (C)
– biomolecules are organic compounds

Fat (lipids)

Sugar (carbohydrates) Amino acid (proteins)

 • Monomer: simple molecules that link up
to form a bigger compound (polymer)

(It is kind of like one link

in a chain.)
• Polymer: molecules of many repeating units
3 monomers Polymer

• Macromolecules: large polymers

• Macromolecules:
organic molecules
needed for life
– Proteins
– Nucleic Acids
(DNA and RNA)
– Carbohydrates
(sugars)
– Lipids (Fats)
• Function: Used by all cells for quick
energy and used by plants for structure.
• Structure: Includes all sugars, from simple
sugars to complex polymer sugars
• Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
(CHO)
• Energy is stored in the bonds between
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
 Carbohydrates
Monomer of Carbohydrates
• 1. Monosaccharides: One ring sugar (simple
sugar)
– Ex : Glucose , fructose
Polymer of Carbohydrate
• 2. Disaccharides: Two ring sugars
– Sucrose (table sugar)= glucose + fructose

– Maltose (beer sugar) = glucose + glucose

 Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides

Disaccharides
 Carbohydrates
Polymer of Carbohydrate
• 3. Polysaccharides: Many Ring sugars
– Starch: stores energy in plants.
– Glycogen: stores energy in animals.
– Cellulose: gives plant structural support.
A few examples of polysaccharides:
Starch – found in the potato

Glycogen – found in
human muscles & in
the liver.

Cellulose – another form of plant

polysaccharide. Humans cannot digest it!
 Lipids
Structure: Functions:
• Glycerol + 3 fatty – Part of cell
acid molecules bonded membrane
together (phospholipid)
• Large molecule (not –
energy storage
a polymer) – to cushion organs
• A fatty acid is lots
– insulation
of carbons bonded
to hydrogens.
 Fatty Acid
Lipid Structure

Glycerol

• Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (CHO)

• Energy is stored in the bonds between carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen
• Monomer: Glycerol and Fatty Acid
• Polymer: Triglyceride
– This lipid has 3 glycerols and their fatty acids bonded together
• Saturated Fats: Lipids
– Contain only C-C single bonds
– Solid at room temperature
– Animal fats, butter

• Unsaturated Fats:
– Contain at least one C=C bond
– Liquid at room temperature
– Oils from plants, usually stored in seeds
Saturated Fat – only single bonds

Unsaturated - Monounsaturated (1 Double Bond) Unsaturated - Polyunsaturated (2 Double bonds)

 Proteins
• Structure: A chain of amino acids
– also called polypeptides.
– different proteins have different sequences and
amounts of amino acids
• Functions:
– Creates skin, muscle, hair, teeth, bone & other body
structures
– Help transport materials from cell to cell
– Allows cells to signal each other
– Used in immune system defense
– Enzymes
– Last form of energy storage
 Protein Structure
• Elements:
Carbon,
Hydrogen,
Protein Oxygen, Nitrogen
structure (CHON)
is based • Monomer: Amino
on the
sequence
Acid
of amino • Polymer:
acids. Polypeptide
 Amino Acids
• There are 20 different amino
acids that create different
combinations for specific
functions in the body.
• DNA provides the
instructions for how the
amino acids will be linked to
form the proteins in your
body.

Song to enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=QHvklS77_U0
Types of Proteins
1. Fibrous proteins are usually used to
construct connective tissues, tendons, bone
and muscle fiber.
- Examples: keratins, collagens and
elastin

2. Globular proteins play many biological

roles, including acting as enzymes,
hormones, immunoglobulins, and transport
molecules.
– Example: Hemoglobin, Insulin, Enzymes

3. Membrane Proteins are made of lipids

that surround the cell and organelles. Each
type of protein has a specific purpose.
– Examples: Ion channels, receptor
proteins,
How do humans get proteins?
The quality of a protein is
determined by its ability to provide
the 9 essential amino acids.

Proteins from animal sources (eggs,

dairy, meat, poultry, and fish) and
one vegetable protein (soy) are all
considered high-quality because
they contain all of the essential
amino acids in the necessary
proportions
 Nucleic Acids
• Structure: – Large complex
macromolecules that serve as
information storage units
composed of C,H,O,N,P

• Function: Makes up the genetic

code; provides instructions for
making proteins.

• Examples: DNA, RNA

 Nucleic Acids
• Monomer: Nucleotides
(there are three parts to a
nucleotide)
1. Nitrogenous base
2. Phosphate group
3. Pentose sugar
(deoxyribose or ribose
• Polymer: DNA and
RNA
 DNA Polymer

ACGT is an acronym for the four types of bases found in a DNA molecule:
adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T).
Copy this dichotomous key to quickly
identify biomolecules.

Does it have a ring

structure in its main
chain?
Biological Molecules -
You Are What You Eat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KE
NlK0