AGENDA
Standard
 Macromolecules Graphic Organizer

Independent
 Group


Macromolecule Activity
STANDARD

SB1. Students will analyze the nature of the
relationships between structures and functions in
living cells.

c. Identify the function of the four major
macromolecules (i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
nucleic acids).
MACROMOLECULES

You will work on filling out information for each
of the macromolecules on your own.
 Spend
about 20 minutes filling it out on your on, see pages 5963 (READ )

We will then go over them together to make sure
you’ve got it all.
INTRODUCTION

All compounds can be classified into 2 broad
categoriges:
Organic compounds – contain carbon and hydrogen
atoms
 Inorganic compounds – can have carbon or hydrogen,
but not both

MACROMOLECULES

Most of your body’s molecules are organic compounds

Macromolecules are built from small organic compounds the
same way a railroad train is built, by linking a lot of smaller
units together into long chains
Large carbon compounds are built up from smaller simpler molecules
called monomers (mono = one)
 Monomers can bind to one another to form complex molecules known as
polymers (poly = many)
 A polymer consists of repeated, linked units, which can also bind
forming large polymers called macromolecules (macro = large)

MACROMOLECULES
Monomers link to form polymers through a chemical
reaction called condensation reaction or dehydration
synthesis. During the formation of polymers, Water
(H2O), is released or is by-product of the reaction.
 The breakdown of some complex molecules, such as
polymers, occurs through a process known as hydrolysis.

 Hydrolysis
is the reverse of a condensation reaction. The
addition of water, to some polymers can break the bonds that
hold them together.
CARBOHYDRATES




Made up of C, H, and O.
Monomer: saccharides
Disaccharides are made
up of two saccharides,
polysaccharides are
made up of more than
two.
Functions:
Energy storage
 Structural components of
cells
 Cell recognition

LIPIDS





Made up of C, H, O, and P
Monomer: fatty acids
Can be fats, waxes, or
steroids
Triglycerides are common
lipids made up of glycerol
linked to three fatty acid
chains in the shape of an
“E”
Functions:
Energy storage
 Membrane structure
 Water barrier
 Hormones

PROTEINS
Made up of C, H, N, O, P, and S
 Monomer: amino acid
 Functions:

Catalyze reactions (enzymes)
 Cell signaling and communication
 Transportation
 Structure

NUCLEIC ACIDS
Made up of C, H, N, O, and
P.
 Monomer: Nucleotide
(nitrogen base + phosphate
group + pentose sugar)
 Functions:

Store and transmit
hereditary information
 Energy carriers
