Name:
Biology
Period:
Macromolecules: What are the building blocks of life?
Background Information: From the smallest single-celled
organism to the tallest tree, all life depends on the properties and
reactions of four classes of organic (carbon-based)
compounds—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic
acids. We will spend an entire unit later in the year on nucleic
acids. Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Proteins are the 3 building
blocks of all living things that we will focus on this unit. These are
called MACROmolecules because they are large molecules. They are responsible for most of
the structure and functions of the body, including energy storage, insulation, growth, repair, and
communication. Simple organic molecules can be joined together to form all the essential
biological molecules needed for life.
Table 1 shows a sample elephant diet and Table 2 shows a sample lion diet based on the
animal nutrition lab. Using the background information, predict the main function of the
macromolecules found in their diet.
Table 1
Table 2
Elephant
proteins (%)
fats (%)
carbs (%)
Lion
proteins (%)
fats (%)
carbs (%)
alfalfa hay
19.0
-
56.0
beef
60.0
8.9
-
grass hay
11.0
-
65.0
deer
80.7
6.3
-
timothy hay
3.8
-
80.9
pig
50.7
33.2
-
a. Elephant:
i.
Proteins: _______________________________________________________________
ii.
Carbohydrates: __________________________________________________________
b. Lion:
i.
Proteins: _________________________________________________________
ii.
Fats: ____________________________________________________________
Check with your teacher and get initials: _____________
Directions: Analyze Model 1 and answer the questions that follow.
MODEL 1: Macromolecules of Life are made from repeating smaller monomer units such as
glucose, glycerol and glycine.
Carbohydrate
Monosaccharide
(glucose)
Lipid
Lipid
(fatty acid)
Protein
Amino Acid
(glycine)
Key: H = Hydrogen; O = Oxygen; C = Carbon; N = Nitrogen
Questions:
1. A complete carbohydrate is a macromolecule. This means that it is a large or small molecule. (circle
one)
2. Use Model 1 to show which atoms are present in each type of molecule by listing the symbol for each
atom included (an atom = element in the molecule). Carbohydrate has been done for you.
a. Carbohydrate: C, H, O
b. Lipid: ______________________
c. Protein: ________________________
3. List 3 similarities between the 3 types of macromolecules.
a. _________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________
4. List 3 differences between the 3 types of macromolecules.
a. _________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________
READ THIS!
During chemical reactions, the bonds in molecules are continually broken and reformed. When bonds are broken,
there is a net energy release that creates energy molecules called ATP. ATP molecules are energy molecules that
allow cells to do the work needed to keep the organism alive and functioning. Since more energy is released than
absorbed during a chemical change like this, the process can be used as a source of energy. A general rule for
processes such as cell respiration is the more carbon atoms there are in a molecule, the more energy that molecule
can provide to the organism when it is used as food.
5. Using the information from above and Model 1, is a carbohydrate, lipid, or a protein more likely to be a good
source of energy for an organism? Use comparative data to support your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Check with your teacher and get initials: _____________
Background Information: There are many chemical reactions occurring in your body right now. As
you eat food, these food molecules are broken down by enzymes and a chemical reaction takes place.
The bonds between elements are broken and reformed – energy can be given off or taken in when the
reaction occurs. The left side (before arrow) of the reaction (what goes in) is called the reactants while
the right side (after arrow) of the reaction (what comes out) is called the products. The number of
elements that go into the reaction should be the same number of elements that come out of the reaction.
Analyze the two models showing the elephant’s diet and lion’s diet and answer the questions that follow.
MODEL 2: Elephant’s Diet - Carbohydrates
6. The reactants are ________________________ and ____________________________
7. The products are _________________________ and ____________________________
8. Would you say that glucose or sucrose is more complex? (circle one) Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
9. What would you call the process that is occurring? ___________________________________
10. What is the elephant getting when the bond is broken in sucrose? _______________________
11. Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in plants which contains approximately 200 glucose
molecules. Predict the function of starch and explain why. ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Check with your teacher and get initials: _____________
MODEL 3: Elephant’s Diet and Lion’s Diet - Proteins
12. What would you call the process that is occurring? _________________________________
Read This! There are only 20 different amino acids found in the body, however, there are thousands of
different proteins being used by your cells. Proteins differ in their types and sequence of the number of
amino acids which allows for the thousands of different proteins found in your body. When you consume
protein, it is broken down into individual amino acids. These amino acids are then used to make new
proteins.
Amino acid 1
Amino acid 2
Amino acid 3
13. Based on the information above about how proteins are made and are different, bond the 3 amino
acids above together to create a protein. Remember that each carbon can only form 4 bonds. Circle
the OH from one amino acid with the H of the next amino acid (to become H2O) that must drop off to
bond the carbon at the end of one amino acid to the nitrogen of the next. Use pencil!
Check with your teacher and get initials: _____________
MODEL 4: Lion’s Diet - Lipids
14. The reactants are __________________________ and ___________________________
15. The products are ___________________________ and ___________________________
16. Because a monoglyceride molecule has more carbon atoms than a glucose molecule, you can
assume that …
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Check with your teacher and get initials: _____________
Name: __________________________________________________________ Period: _______
BREAKING IT ALL DOWN… LITERALLY!
Simple context statement:
In order for cells (plant or animal) to create ATP
energy molecules that allow the cells to do the
important work of keeping an organism alive,
they need to further break down the
macromolecules either made in plant cells
through photosynthesis or break down the
macromolecules in the foods they eat.
ATP
C-C
ATP
C-C
Q1: Does the above statement make sense
to you? (Talk with your group and check the
box below that best fits your thinking.)
C-C
_____ YES _____ NO
Q2: If ATP energy molecules help cells do
work, for which of the following processes do
they support? (Circle all that apply)
Cells growing
Cells moving
ATP
Cells dividing/reproducing
Cells metabolizing food molecules
Cells absorbing substances from their environment
Cells expelling waste
Q3: Below are the three monomers (building blocks) again. Observe the cell model above.
What does each molecule below have in common that the cell needs? __________________________
Carbohydrate
Monosaccharide
(glucose)
Lipid
Lipid
(fatty acid)
Protein
Amino Acid
(glycine)
Q4: The process of digesting food requires energy. The energy left over (net energy) after we have
broken down our food is what is used by our cells to work to keep our bodies functioning. Which of the
molecules above as pictured has the greatest potential for a net release of energy based on the number
of C-C bonds? ______________
Q5: Based on your answer to Q3, how many of those units does each of the above have?
Circle each “unit” in the above molecules. Carbohydrate: _______ Lipid: _______ Protein: _______
Q6: Make sense as to why this macromolecule is used by organisms in the way it is based on your
answer to the last question. ____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Biology - Macromolecule CER
Name: ________________________
Claim: Elephants and Lions need energy to survive.
Evidence: Use Tables 1 and 2 (on page 1 of “Macromolecules: What are the building blocks of life”) to
provide data.
Elephants use mostly ___________________________ for energy.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Lions use mostly ___________________________ for energy.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Reasoning: Use the Read This! (on page 2 of “Macromolecules: What are the building blocks of life”)
and Models 2, 3, and 4 to support your reasoning.
Elephants
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Lions
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________