Organic Compounds:
Biomolecules
aka: Carbon Compounds
All Organic Compounds (Biomolecules) contain the
element Carbon!
The Chemistry of Carbon
Organic chemistry is the study of all compounds
that contain bonds between carbon atoms.
Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall
Macromolecules
Macromolecules are
formed by a process
known as
polymerization.
Polymerization is the
process of converting
monomers into
polymers.
Monomers – building
blocks of more
complex molecules
Polymers –many
monomers
Four groups of organic compounds found in all living
things are:




carbohydrates
lipids
nucleic acids
proteins
Carbohydrates – C, H, O
What is the function of carbohydrates?
Source of Energy
Quick energy
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, the ratio of
hydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms is 2:1 (like
water) H:O is 2:1
Carbohydrates
Different sizes of carbohydrates:
*Monosaccharides – single sugars
ex. Glucose *the most common sugar C6H12O6
galactose and fructose
*Disaccharides – two single sugars joined
ex. Lactose & sucrose
*Polysaccharides – 3 or more single sugars joined
ex. Cellulose (in plant cells)
Starch
Glycogen (animal starch)
Starches and sugars are examples of carbohydrates
that are used by living things as a source of energy.
Starch
Examples:
Cellulose
Starch
Glycogen
Glucose
Lipids – C, H, O
many more carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms compared to oxygen atoms
Lipids are generally not soluble in water.
The common categories of lipids are:
fats
oils
waxes
Steroids
Cholesterol
Waterproof coverings
Cell membrane – lipid bilayer
Lipids
Function:
store energy
Long term energy storage
Some lipids are important parts of biological
membranes (cell membrane) and waterproof
coverings (cuticle on plants)
Monomers:
Fat – consist of glycerol + 3 fatty acids
Lipids
Proteins – C, H, O, N
sometimes S, P
 Held by Peptide bonds
 Monomers of molecules called amino acids.
Amino Acids: 20 common amino acids
General formula for an amino acid
-NH2 is amino group
-COOH is carboxyl
Polymers of proteins

Polypeptide – chains of amino acids joined
by peptide bonds
Some functions of proteins:
Enzymes-
Control rate of reactions
 Enzymes are biological catalyst
Used
to form bones and muscles
Transport
& Communication: moves small
molecules into or out of cells
Help
to fight disease (defense) – antibodies
Examples of Proteins:





Amino Acids like alanine (end in –ine)
Enzymes (end in –ase)
Blood – hemoglobin
Skin, ligaments, tendons, bones, hair,
muscle
Antibodies
Dehydration Synthesis

Removal of water when two simpler
substances join together
Hydrolysis

Adding water to break apart a compound
Nucleic Acids – C, H, O, N, P
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are polymers assembled from
individual monomers known as nucleotides.
Nucleic Acids: Monomers
Nucleotides consist of three parts:

a 5-carbon sugar

a phosphate group

a nitrogenous base
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids store and transmit
hereditary, or genetic,
information. *Genetic Blueprint*
Examples and Polymers:
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)