Learning Guide: Molecules of Life
Bill Activity #19
1st Read About: The Structure and Function of Large Biomolecules: Carbohydrates
Pgs. 69-74 Campbell’s Biology 9th edition (2-sided column notes)
 Carbohydrates serve as fuel and building material
o List the monomer of carbohydrates and its basic formula. List the two functional groups
that all sugars have.
o Sketch the abbreviated ring structure of glucose. Number the carbons on the structure.
Glucose is a monosaccharide. Describe the important function of these molecules.
o Explain/sketch how two monosaccharides are joined and give several examples.
o Create a graphic organizer that illustrates the structural and functional differences
between storage and structural polysaccharides. Give examples of each type.
2nd Interact: Watch Mr. Andersen’s Carbohydrates video and take notes on it.
o Identify the biological process that produces carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose
and cellulose and where this process occurs and in what types of organisms
o Explain how the structure of complex carbohydrates such as starch makes them suited
for energy storage.
3rd Read About: The Structure and Function of Large Biomolecules: Lipids
Pgs. 74-77 Campbell’s Biology 9th edition (2-sided column notes)
 Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules
o Describe why lipids are not true polymers. Explain the characteristic that all lipids share
and their basic function.
o Describe the two kinds of smaller molecules that make up a fat and the name of the
bond that holds them together. Explain why hydrocarbons are excellent sources of
energy.
o Draw a sketch of a saturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid, side by side.
Explain how their respective structures influence their behavior in living cells.
o Explain why the structure of a phospholipid is ideal for the construction of cell
membranes. Sketch one phospholipid and label the hydrophilic and hydrophobic
portions.
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4 Interact: Watch Mr. Andersen’s Lipids video and take notes on it.
o Describe how cholesterol works with phospholipids to maintain cell membrane
structure at extremes of temperature.
o Sketch one phospholipid and label negative phosphate portion, the non charged
portion, along with the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions.
o A friend of yours decides that they are going to cut all fat from their diet. Explain why
such behavior could be detrimental to your friend’s health.
5th Read About: The Structure and Function of Large Biomolecules: Proteins
Pgs. 77-86 Campbell’s Biology 9th edition (2-sided column notes)
 Proteins include a diversity of structures, resulting in a wide range of functions.
o Create a list of the many functions of proteins. Note how there is a direct relationship
between a protein’s structure and its function.
o Draw the generalized structure of an amino acid. Label where dehydration synthesis
will occur when amino acids join together to build proteins. (Also name the bond).
Explain how changing the R group changes the properties of the amino acid.
o Create a 4-panel chart across two pages of your BILL to illustrate and explain the
differences between the four levels of protein structure.
o Describe how a change of structure will lead to a change of function as it applies to
sickle cell disease. Include an explanation of why the structure changed.
o Explain how the environment surrounding a protein influences its shape and structure.
o Describe the role of chaperonins in the folding process. Include an explanation of what
happens when proteins may be misfolded.
6th Interact: Watch Mr. Andersen’s Proteins video and take notes on it.
o Explain how a 3-D protein is made. Use the terms polar, nonpolar, negative, positive in
your explanation.
7th Read About: The Structure and Function of Large Biomolecules: Nucleic Acids
Pgs. 86-89 Campbell’s Biology 9th edition (2-sided column notes)
 Nucleic acids store, transmit, and help express hereditary information
o Explain the roles of DNA and RNA in making proteins.
o Sketch one nucleic acid and label the three components. Explain the difference
between the pyrimidines and purines; the use of deoxyribose and ribose.
o Describe the overall structure of DNA .
8th Interact: Watch Mr. Andersen’s Nucleic Acids video and take notes on it.
o Explain how scientists think that DNA evolved from RNA and describe the bonds that
hold the DNA molecule together.
9th Interact: Watch Mr. Andersen’s Biological Molecules video and take notes on it. This is a review of all
four molecules in one video. Sketch the flowcharts to help you organize the concepts.
Supplementary Resources: Click the links below for more information to help you learn more about this
lesson.
 John Kyrk: Amino Acids
 Learn.Genetics: DNA to Protein
 DNA From the Beginning: DNA and Proteins are key molecules of the cell nucleus
Learn More: For more examples of biologically important molecules, use the links below:
 Fold it: play a game to practice folding proteins
 Eterna: play a game to design RNA molecules