Biochemistry
Introduction of Macromolecules
AP
® and Pre-AP
® are registered trademarks of the College Board.
© Laying the Foundation TM 2007

Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions in living systems. Biomolecules are organic compounds, meaning they are based on carbon chemistry. Remember that carbon is unique in that it can form 4 covalent bonds; thus it is able to form long, complex chains of atoms.
AP
® and Pre-AP
® are registered trademarks of the College Board.
© Laying the Foundation TM 2007

Organic Substances
Organic substances , macromolecules , or biomolecules make up all living things.
The four groups of substances are carbohydrates lipids proteins nucleic acids

Organic Substances
Polymers are formed from the linking together of many similar monomers .
Monomers are joined through a process known as dehydration synthesis , the removal of water. monomer + monomer polymer + H
2
O

Organic Substances
Hydrolysis is the breaking of the bonds between monomers in a polymer by adding water.
This process is necessary in digestion so that molecules can be small enough to be absorbed and transported into the cell. polymer + H
2
O monomer + monomer

Organic Substances
Structure Subunit Types Roles Examples Identification
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Protein
Nucleic Acid

1). Carbohydrates - made up of Carbon,
Hydrogen, and Oxygen usually in ratio of
1 : 2 : 1 (Pasta, Bread)
C
6
H
12
O
6
The main source of energy for living things.
Carbohydrates are
STARCHES. Your body breaks down starches to make sugars that it can use for energy. This sugar is called glucose.

• Carbon ring
• C
6
H
12
O
6 http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=AP13104

• Carbon ring
• C
6
H
12
O
6
• Fuel for
Respiration
MonosaccharidEs-A single sugar molecule

• Carbon ring
• C
6
H
12
O
6
Polysaccharides

• Carbon ring
• C
6
H
12
O
6 A storage molecule found in animals.
Animals store sugars in the form of glycogen in the liver for later use.

Benedict’s reagent is used to test for simple sugars (monosaccharides) like glucose and fructose. When heated,
Benedict’s reagent changes color from light blue to red/orange if a simple sugar is present.
+ +
• Carbon ring
• C
6
H
12
O
6
Iodine solution is used to test for the presence of polysaccharides (starch). If starch is present, a color change from amber to purple/black occurs.
Starch No starch

Organic Substances
Structure Subunit
Monosaccharides
Types
Monosaccharides
Roles Examples Identification
Quick Energy
Glucose
Fructose
Benedict’s
Reagent
Carbohydrate
Polysaccharides Delayed energy
Cell components
Cellulose
Glycogen
Starch
Iodine
Lipids
Protein
Nucleic Acid

Proteins
A central carbon atom
Is bonded to:
•Amino group
•Hydrogen atom
•Carboxyl group
•R group (varies)
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=AP13304

4).
Proteins – contain Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and
Oxygen atoms. Polymers of amino acids
a). Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids
(building blocks of proteins)
b). Found in meat, eggs, chicken

a). Controls the rate of reactions b.) regulate cell processes c.) form bones and muscles d.) fight diseases e.) transports materials into or out of cells

A central carbon atom
Is bonded to:
•Amino group
•Hydrogen atom
•Carboxyl group
•R group (varies)
Proteins
Carboyxl Group

A central carbon atom
Is bonded to:
•Amino group
•Hydrogen atom
•Carboxyl group
•R group (varies)
Chemical Tests
Biuret reagent is used to test for the presence of protein.
When protein is present, biuret reagent changes from light blue to purple.
+ -

Organic Substances
Structure Subunit Types Roles Examples Identification
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Meats
Hormones
Muscle
Hair
Nails
Enzymes
Blood Cells
Amino acids
Many types
Biuret’s Reagent
Protein
Nucleic Acid catalysts transport movement protection immune growth

Lipids
Glycerol
+
Fatty Acid tails
• Made mostly of C and H, some
O.
• Lipids are insoluble in water(they do not dissolve).
• Lipids include phospholipids, and fats (AKA triglycerides).
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=AP13204

Lipids – fats, oils, and waxes
• Long-term energy storage
• Some are chemical messengers (ie. Steroids)
Ex.) oils on your skin keep you from soaking up water in the tub.

Lipids
Glycerol
+
Fatty Acid tails
Glycerol Fatty Acid tails

A
C
B
E
D
F

Saturated
• Animal fats
• Solid at room temp
• Lacks double bond in Carbon chain
Unsaturated
• Plant fats
• Remain liquid at room temp.
• Has a double bond in Carbon chain
Lipids

Major Food Sources of Trans Fat for
American Adults

Tests for Lipids
Sudan III is a chemical test for the presence of lipids. If lipids are present, this indicator will turn orange-pink.
+
Brown paper may also be used to test for the presence of lipids. Lipids soak into the paper, causing it to have a translucent appearance.
+ -

Organic Substances
Structure Subunit Types Roles Examples Identification
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Glycerol +
Fatty acids
•Cholesterol
•Phospholipids
•Fats:
Saturated
Unsaturated
Stored energy
Insulation
Cell Components
Fats
Oils
Waxes
Sudan III
Brown paper
Protein
Nucleic Acid

Nucleic acids store and transmit hereditary, or genetic information

Nucleic acids are the only macromolecules with the unique ability to REPRODUCE themselves and carry the code that directs all of the cell’s activities.

NUCLEIC ACIDS
The subunits (monomers, building blocks) of nucleic acids are called
nitrogen base phosphate sugar
(Pentose- 5
Carbon)

The pentose (5 carbon) sugar in a nucleotide is either ribose (RNA) or deoxyribose (DNA).

PHOSPHATE GROUP

The NITROGEN BASES fit into 2 families:
• 5 membered ring attached to a pyrimadine ring.
• ADENINE (A) & GUANINE (G)
• 6 membered rings of carbon and nitrogen atoms.
• CYTOSINE (C)
• THYMINE (T) – DNA
• URACIL (U) - RNA

ATP
ADENOSINE
TRIPHOSPHATE
An individual nucleotide that functions in energy transfer
(acts like a battery) in the cell.
adenine triphosphate ribose

DNA – Deoxyribonucleic Acid is made up of 2 polynucleotide chains twisted around a central axis. The nitrogen bases that make up DNA are
A, G, C, and T.
RNA – Ribonucleic Acid is a single stranded chain made up of the nitrogen bases A, G, C, and U.

Organic Substances
Structure Subunit Types Roles Examples Identification
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Protein
Nucleic Acid
Nucleotides
DNA
RNA
ATP
Direct cell processes
Protein Synthesis
Cellular energy
DNA
RNA
ATP
None 

• Protein
Who wants to be a biochemist?
(Practice)

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrate

• Lipids
Who wants to be a biochemist?

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrates and Lipids

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Nucleic Acid

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Protein and Lipids

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrate

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Protein and Lipid

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Lipids, protein and carbohydrates

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrate, protein and lipids

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrate

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Protein and Lipids

• Protein
Who wants to be a biochemist?

Who wants to be a biochemist?
• Carbohydrates and Lipid