BIOMOLECULES DISCUSSION

Biology Unit 03

What is a Biomolecule?

Organic molecule made by living organisms

Consists mostly of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O)

But wait…What is an Organic Molecule?

Organic Molecules:

Contain carbonConsidered the “chemicals of life”

Inorganic Molecules:

Do not contain carbon

Monomers vs. Polymers

Monomers:

Molecules that may react with similar molecules to form a chain

Polymers:

A chain of many monomers that are chemically bonded together

Formation of Polymers

How are polymers formed?

Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation): Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are removed from the monomers to form water, and the two monomers are joined together.

Animation Showing Condensation and Hydrolysis

http://www.cengage.com/biology/discipline_content/animations/reaction_types.html

Breakdown of Polymers

How are polymers broken down?

Hydrolysis—the reverse of dehydration synthesis (condensation)

Water added to the polymer, un-linking the chain and breaking it back down to its original monomer units

Carbohydrates What are carbohydrates?

Group of organic molecules that includes sugars, starches, and cellulose

Carbohydrates Structure:

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio(CH2O)n – n is an integer such as 5 (C5H10O5)Subunits: monosaccharides, such as glucose

or fructoseMost often in a ring shapeSubunits are connected with covalent bonds.

Monosaccharide Example

Disaccharide Example

Polysaccharide Example

Carbohydrates

Function:

EnergyStructural supportCell wallCell membrane marker

Lipids What are they?

Organic molecule group including fats and phospholipids

Lipids Structure:

Subunits:○ Glycerol and fatty acids○ Glycerol and fatty acids plus phosphate group

Insoluble in waterDo not form large polymers (2 or 3 fatty acids

with glycerol) ○ Examples: diglyceride and triglyceride

Triglyceride Example

Phospholipid Example

Lipids

Function:

Energy storageInsulationPart of cell membrane (phospholipids)Hormones

Proteins What are proteins?

Group of organic molecules that provides structure and facilitates chemical reactions.

Proteins Structure:

Subunits: Amino acidsAmino acids connect via peptide bondsVery large moleculesGlobular or structural

Amino Acid

Proteins Function:

Lots of functions!Enzymes (speed rate of chemical reactions)Structural components in cellsMechanical functions in muscles and

cytoskeleton (internal cell framework)Cell signalingImmune response

Nucleic Acids

What are nucleic acids?

Group of organic molecules including DNA and RNA

Nucleic Acids Structure:

Subunits are nucleotides—5-Carbon sugar, Nitrogen base, and one or more Phosphate groups.

Nucleic Acids

Function:

Storage and retrieval of information:○ Encode genes○ Gene expression

Information Sources for DiagramsCapri, A. (2003). Carbohydrates. Retrieved from

http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=61

Capri, A. (2003). Fats and proteins. Retrieved from http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=62

Indiana University. (2013). Fat and why it matters to you. Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~oso/Fat/SolidNLiquid.html

Cronk, J. (2012). Biochemistry dictionary. Retrieved from http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/biochem/H-index.cfm?definition=hydrogen_bond

Chemical Education Digital Library Admin. (2011, January 20). Nucleic acid structure. Retrieved from Cronk, J. (2012). Biochemistry dictionary. Retrieved from http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/biochem/H-index.cfm?definition=hydrogen_bond

Dna structure. (2010, September 28). Retrieved from http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/rcotter/BIO 205/LessonBuilders/Chapter 9 LB/Ch9b3.html

Information Sources for this PPT

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Biomolecules and the Chemistry of Life. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Organic vs. Inorganic Molecules - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/organic-inorganic-molecules.html

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Monomers, Polymers, and Dehydration Synthesis - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/monomers-polymers-dehydration-synthesis.html

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Lipids - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/lipids.html

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Carbohydrates - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/carbohydrates.html

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Proteins - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/proteins.html

Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Nucleic Acids - Shmoop Biology. Retrieved April 6, 2013, from http://www.shmoop.com/biomolecules/nucleic-acids.html