BIOMOLECULESMOLECULES

of LIFETurner High School 2013

Atoms (Elements)Needed for Life to Survive

C – carbon H – hydrogen N – nitrogen O – oxygen P – phosphorus S – sulfur

Life is built from these elements.

Bonds Hold Life Together!

Inside molecules Ionic bonds: electrons are transferred

from one atom to another; weaker Covalent bonds: electrons are shared

between atoms; stronger Connecting one molecule to another

Peptide: covalent bond between amino acids Hydrogen: (+) and (-) attraction, very weak

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Lipids

Nucleic Acids

There are 4 Macromolecules of Life:Organic compounds = based on carbon

These macromolecules (large molecules) are called polymers.

Polymers are made of smaller units called monomers.

Two Processes that Build & Break Apart Polymers into Monomers

• Hydrolysis (digestion) – breaking bonds between molecules.

• Dehydration Synthesis – forming bonds between molecules by removing water.

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates

- Contain ONLY C, H, O- Ratio (1:2:1)

- Main source of energy- Structural support of cell walls in plants

and exoskeletons of animals (ex. insects and crustaceans)

- Monomer (basic unit) = glucose

1

• Three types:- Monosaccharide ex. glucose- Disaccharide ex. sucrose

- Polysaccharide ex. starches

Carbohydrates1

= PROTEIN

S

- Contains: C, H, O, N- Build cells (ex. bones & muscles)- Controls metabolic reactions (ex.

enzymes speed up or slow down reactions in organisms)

- Part of cell transport- Help fight disease

Proteins2

• Monomer = amino acids

• Proteins are long chains of amino acids

Proteins2

Unsaturated fats

LIPIDS

• Contain C, H, O- Used to store energy

- Important parts of cell membranes

ex. whale blubber

- Helps animals conserve heat (insulation)

- Major component in waxy covering of plants

- Important in signaling molecules

Lipids3

• Monomer = 1 glycerol & 3 fatty acids

• Sterols ex. cholesterol

• Glycerides• Monoglyceride• Diglyceride• Triglyceride

• Hormones • Phospholipids

Lipids3

• Two types:- Saturated: solid at

room temperature

ex.: animal fat, butter, waxes

- Unsaturated: liquid at room temperature

ex.: oils, omega-3 fatty acids

Lipids3

NUCLEIC

ACIDS

• Contain C, H, N, O, P, and sometimes S

• Store and transmit genetic information in a cell for proteins to be made (protein synthesis)

• Monomers = nucleotides- 5 carbon sugar- Phosphate group- Nitrogenous base

Nucleic Acids4

• RNA & DNA ATP

ENERGY MOLECULE

Nucleic Acids4