Biochemistry
Macromolecules
 Giant molecules made from thousands of smaller molecules
 Formed by polymerization
Polymerization
The construction of
larger compounds by
joining (bonding)
smaller compounds Monomers
together.
Monomers=smaller
compounds
Polymers=collection
of smaller
compounds.
Polymers
Organic Compounds:
• Chemical compounds containing Carbon
• Also known as biomolecules
How Organic Compounds are Formed
and Destroyed
Dehydration
Synthesis
Hydrolysis
Dehydration Synthesis
The combination of two monomers (building
blocks) to make a polymer using enzymes
and losing water.
Hydrolysis
The process of breaking down a polymer
(large organic molecule) into its sub units
(monomers) using enzymes and water.
Bio-Molecules
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates
(Sugars)
Organic compounds made up of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually in a
ratio of 1:2:1. (CH2O)
The monomers that make up carbs are
monosaccharides
Types of Sugars:



Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
Types of Saccarides
Saccharide Examples
Monosaccharides:
 Examples: Glucose (C6H12O6 ), fructose(in
fruits), galactose(in milk), deoxyribose, and
ribose sugar
Disaccharides:
 Examples: Sucrose (C12H22O11), lactose,
maltose.
Polysaccharides:
 Examples: Starch (C6H10O5)n , cellulose
and glycogen
Carbohydrate Functions
Living things use as main source of
energy
Quick energy foods (glucose, sucrose,
and fructose.)
Used by cells to store and release
energy.
Storage=polysaccharides (starch,
glycogen)
Structure (cellulose)
Examples of Foods
Fruit
Bread
Rice
Candy/Cakes
Cereal
Potatoes
Pasta
Beans
Lipids
A group of compounds that are made mostly
of carbon and hydrogen atoms and contain
very little oxygen
Insoluble in water
Examples: Fats, Steroids, Oils, and Wax
They are found surrounding internal organs,
in each cell membrane, and clogging arteries
and veins.
Monomers of lipids are fatty acids and
glycerol
Main Types of Fats
Saturated: No double bonds
between the carbons
Solid at room temperature
Found mostly in animals.
Ex: Butter
Unsaturated: Double bonds
between some of the
carbons
Liquid at room temperature
Found mostly in plants
Ex: Olive Oil
Lipid Functions
High Energy food,
more for long term
energy.
Protects vital
organs
Insulates the body
Stores food for
later use
Examples of Foods
Butter
Cheese
Olive Oil
Nuts
Protein
Macromolecules that
contain nitrogen,
carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen
Monomers of proteins
are amino acids.
Approximately 20
known amino acids.
Each amino acid
contains an NH2 or
amino group and a
CO2H or carboxyl group
Protein Functions
Movement: Makes up muscle tissue
Transport: Carries oxygen in organisms
(hemoglobin).
Immunity: Helps fight off foreign invaders
(antibodies).
Enzymes: Speed up chemical reactions
(amylase)
Energy source
Cell movement
Examples of Foods
Chicken
Beef
Peanuts
Eggs
Fish
Turkey
Cheese
Milk
Nucleic Acids
These are chemical
compounds made
up of smaller
units(monomers)
called nucleotides.
Examples are: DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic
acid) and RNA
(Ribonucleic acid).
Nucleic Acid Comparison
DNA
Double Helix
Contains the sugar
deoxyribose
RNA
Single strand
Contains the sugar
ribose
Nucleotide
3 parts:



5-carbon sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogen base
Function
Store and
transmit genetic
information
Enzymes
Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up
chemical reactions
Lower the amount of energy needed to
start the reaction in cells
Specific and can only catalyze one
chemical reaction
Enzyme Action
An enzyme binds to a substrate in a region
called the active site
Only certain substrates can fit the active site
1 enzyme will work with only 1 substance
Lock and Key Model
Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
pH



Maximum activity at optimum pH
Narrow range of activity
Most lose activity in low or high pH
Temperature




Little activity at low temperature
Rate increases with temperature increase
Most active at optimum temperatures (37°C = human)
Won’t work with too high or low temperature
pH Scale
Indicates the
concentration of H+
ions in a solution
Measure with pH
paper
Acids
pH below 7
Have more H+ ions
than OH- ions
The lower the pH, the
greater the acidity
Examples: lemon juice,
vinegar, stomach acid
Bases
pH above 7
Have more OH- ions
than H+ ions
The higher the pH,
the more basic the
solution
Examples: oven
cleaner, bleach,
soap, drain-o
Neutral
Concentration of H+
ions and OH- ions
are equal
pH of 7 on scale
Example: pure water
pH Scale
Each pH unit is 10 times as large as the
previous one
A change of 2 pH units means 100 times more
basic or acidic
Buffer
Solutions that can react with strong acids or
bases to prevent sudden changes in pH
The pH of most cells in the human body must
generally be kept between 6.5 and 7.5.
Controlling pH is important for maintaining
homeostasis.