BIOMOLECULES
LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION…
We will be repeating these ALL year!
Yesterday:
Atoms  Molecules  Macromolecules…
Today we will dig into the four macromolecules
that are essential for life to exist.
What are the 4 biomolecules?
•
•
•
•
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
TODAY
TOMORROW
WE TYPICALLY GET BIOMOLECULES FROM FOOD…
THIS IS WHY WE MUST EAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!
THE BIOMOLECULES SERVE TO KEEP ORGANISMS ALIVE.
#1: CARBOHYDRATES
ARE SUGARS!
We get 4 kilocalories per gram
of carb that we eat!
What are Carbohydrates?
 Most common organic molecule
 Function: Primary energy source our body
needs
IMPORTANT!
 Elements present: C, H, O (1:2:1 ratio)
 Monomer (building block):
Monosaccharides (Glucose is most common)
 Polymer: Polysaccharides (starch, Glycogen,
Cellulose, Chitin)
 Examples: Chocolate, Bread, Pasta, Fruits,
Vegetables (ALL FROM PLANTS!!!)
Sugars that make up Carbs
 Single sugar: monosaccharide


2 monosaccharides: disaccharide


Ex: glucose , fructose (in fruits)
Ex: maltose, sucrose
3+ monosaccharides: polysaccharide

Ex: Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose, and Chitin
I am a
polysaccharide!
Types of polysaccharides

Starch:



Used for energy storage in plants
Potatoes, pasta and rice are starches
They provide a quick form of energy for the
body
Glycogen:
•
I am
formed in
the Liver!
Used for energy storage in animals
More Polysaccharides
Cellulose:
•
Provides structural
support in plants (found
in the cell wall)
GIVES US FIBER!!!
Chitin:
Found in exoskeletens of
arthropods (insects,
spiders)
• Found in cell wall of
some fungi
•
Structure of Carbohydrates
•
•
Remember: Elements are C, H, and O
Primarily in a Ring shape (but not always)
Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand,
do not shout out!
#2: LIPIDS
ARE FATS
We get 9 kcals per gram
Of fat that we consume.
Lipids
Function: Store energy, Insulates
your body, and make up the cell
membrane!
 Elements: C-H-O
 Monomer (Building blocks):
glycerol & 3 fatty acids
 Polymer: Phospholipids,
triglycerides
 Example: Steroids, cholesterol, fats,
Oils, Nuts, Waxes, and make up part
of the cell membrane!

Lipids
Lipids are Hydrophobic (water fearing) and do
not dissolve in water!
• Lipids can be:
Important!
• Saturated: The bonds between all the carbons
are single bonds.
•Solid at room temperature
•Mainly animal fats (bacon grease, lard)
• Unsaturated: There is at least one double or
triple bond between carbons present.
•Liquid at room temperature
•Mainly plant based fats (olive oil, peanut oil) as well as
oily fish (Tuna, Sardines)
Lipid Structure


Remember:
Elements
present are
C, H, O
Long strands
of Carbon
and
Hydrogen
CALLED
HYDROCARBONS!
Saturated Fats
Unsaturated Fats
Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand,
do not shout out!
BIOMOLECULES PART 2
PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS!
#3: PROTEINS
BUILD US
We get 4 kcals per gram
Of protein that we consume.
Proteins
•
Function of proteins
•
•
•
Transport molecules in and out of the cell
Control the speed of chemical reactions
Used for growth and repair
Proteins make up the structure of living things…
Hair, nails, skin, bones, muscle, etc are all built by protein!
Proteins





NITROGEN IS PRESENT, NOW!
Elements: C-H-O-N
Monomer (Building Block):
amino acids (20 different
ones!)
Polymer: proteins (tons)
Examples of proteins:
hemoglobin in red blood
cells, albumin in eggs,
enzymes that control
reactions in the body, and
antibodies
Found in: fish, eggs, meat
Protein Structure


Remember: Elements are C, H, O, and N
“R” groups represent one of the 20 Amino
Acids! (so, each amino acid has something
different in that spot)
Why are amino acids important?
• When groups of amino acids are joined
together a protein is formed
• There are 20 kinds of amino acids
• They consist of a carboxyl group (COOH)
and an amino group NH2
• Peptide bonds form between amino acids
(polypeptide = many peptide bonds = protein!)
Take a minute to find the word that
does NOT belong. Raise your hand,
do not shout out!
#4: NUCLEIC ACIDS
These biomolecules are not
necessarily from food
Nucleic acids
Function:
• Provide our genetic information
• Holds the instructions to make proteins.
Elements: C-H-O-N-P
Monomer : nucleotides
• A nucleotide is made up of:
• Sugar
• Phosphate
• Nitrogen
Base: A, T, G, C, or U
Polymer: DNA, RNA and ATP
Genetic
code!
Recipe for
proteins
Energy
carrier
Structure of Nucleic Acid
Take a minute to find the word
that does NOT belong. Raise your
hand, do not shout out!