Biological Macromolecules –
Polymers
(The Importance of Carbon)
Honors Biology
Monkemeier
Carbon

Carbon can bond with itself to form
chains, branched chains and rings.
Carbon Skeletons



When carbon bonds with itself to form the
chains, branched chains and rings, the
structures are known as carbon skeletons.
Carbon skeletons provide the “backbone” for
biological molecules.
Carbon skeletons are formed during
photosynthesis.
Hydrocarbons


Hydrocarbons are
molecules composed
of just carbon and
hydrogen.
The carbon –
hydrogen bonds are
HIGH in ENERGY.
Other Elements Important to
Biology and Functional groups.


Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Sulfur.
These elements are part of functional
groups. Functional groups are groups of
atoms covalently bonded to each other
and when attached to a “carbon skeleton”
or molecule, the molecule gains their
chemical and physical properties.
Functional Groups
Biological Molecules
Biological Macromolecules



Some molecules in biology are extremely large
and are made by putting together smaller
subunits.
Biological Macromolecules are also known as
POLYMERS. Poly = many and
mer = pieces.
Starch, Cellulose, DNA, Enzymes are all
examples of biological macromolecules a.k.a.
polymers.
Building Biological
Macromolecules
 The
chemical reaction that
attaches the “mers” or subunits
together to form biological
macromolecules is known as
dehydration synthesis a.k.a.
condensation.
Dehydration Synthesis
Dehydration Synthesis



How is water
involved?
Why is it called
dehydration
synthesis?
Examine the diagram
to see.
Hydrolysis a.k.a. Decomposition
 The
chemical reaction that breaks
apart biological macromolecules
into their subunits is known as
hydrolysis or decomposition.
Hydrolysis a.k.a. Decomposition
Hydrolysis (Decomposition)


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Why is it called
hydrolysis?
Hydro refers to water
– why?
Lysis means split –
how does this relate?