Macromolecules

Biomolecules

• Molecules present in living organisms.
• Most are organic molecules - containing carbon
• Carbon, Oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen make up >96% of human's body mass

Macromolecules of Life

• Large molecules made of smaller subunits joined together
• 4 Basic Molecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acid

Building Macromolecules

• Except for lipids, macromolecules exist in 2 forms
• Monomer - simplest unit
• Polymer - Large molecule made of repeating monomers
• Polymers become monomers by adding water
• Monomers become polymers by removing water
• *Dehydration Synthesis: Used to join monomers to make polymers
• *Hydrolysis: Used to break polymers to make monomers

Let's explore the 4 Macromolecules

• The structure
• a. Elements needed
• b. Monomer
• c. Polymer
• 2. Function
• 3. Examples

Macromolecule 1

• Carbohydrates
• Elements included: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (C6 H12 O6)
• Monomer: Monosaccharide - means one sugar
• Polymer: Polysaccharide - means many sugars
• Disaccharide - means two sugars
• Functions:
• Provides short term energy
• Primary source of energy
• Structural Support
• Found in shells, exoskeletons, and cell walls.
• Examples:
• Sugars and starches
• Pasta, bread, rice, milk, fruits, and vegetables
• If it ends in "ose", it is a sugar
• 
• Caption: Monomer of Carbohydrate or a Monosaccharide

Macromolecule 2

• Lipids
• Elements included: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
• Monomer: Lipid (Glycerol heads and fatty acid chains)
• Polymer: Lipids do not form polymers
• Functions:
• Long term energy storage
• More efficient energy than carbohydrates
• Water barrier/insulator
• Cell membrane made of phospholipids
• Examples
• Fats and Oils
• Triglycerides
• Waxes
• Steroids
• 
• Caption: Monomer of Lipid

Macromolecule 3

• Proteins
• Elements needed: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and SOMETIMES sulfur
• Monomer: Amino acid
• Polymer: Polypeptide - proteins are chains of amino acids held together by a peptide bond
• Functions:
• Building and connecting living things such as collagen, that forms bone, tendons, and cartilage
• Takes part in chemical reactions such as enzymes
• Source of energy
• Examples:
• Meats
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Beans
• 
• Caption: Polypeptide

Macromolecule 4

• Nucleic Acid
• Elements needed: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous
• Monomer: Nucleotide - consists of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base
• Polymer: Many nucleotides
• Functions:
• Carry genetic material
• Energy Carrier
• Examples:
• DNA
• RNA
• ATP
• 
• Caption: Monomer of Nucleic Acid or a Nucleotide

Enzymes

• Chemical Reactions form new substances by breaking and forming chemical bonds
• Chemical reactions change the way molecules are arranged
• Reactants: present at the beginning of the reaction
• Products: substances formed by the chemical reaction
• Example: Combustions
• CH4 + 2O2 -> 2H2O
• Reactants -> Products
• Enzymes' quaternary structure helps them function
• Active site* that complements the substrate/reactant
• Speeds up chemical reactions - Catalyst
• Chemical reactions happen no matter what. Enzymes do not cause reactions, but they speed things up.
• * Has to match the reactants
• 

Enzymes pt ll

• Step 1: Substrates bind to an enzyme at certain places called active sites.
• Step 2: The enzyme brings substrates together and weakens their bonds.
• Step 3: The catalyzed reaction forms a product that is released from the enzyme.
• 

Denaturing of Enzymes

• Activation Energy: Energy it takes for a reaction to occur
• Enzymes lower the activation energy
• If enzymes quaternary structure is denatured (altered), it cannot function
• Change in temperature
• Change in pH
• Substrate (reactant) concentration also has an effect on enzyme activity.