Organic CompoundsThe 4 essential macromolecules

Source of energy Made of monomers called monosaccharides Ex: glucose and fructose, galactose, dextrose Monosaccharides, are single sugars that can

be linked together to form disaccharides (2 sugars) or polysaccharides (many sugars)

They are linked using a process called dehydration sysnthesis.

Ex: disaccharide- maltose and sucrosepolysaccharide- glycogen, starch, and cellulose

Carbohydrates

Isomer: molecules with the same chemical formula but different structure

Ex: glucose and fructose chemical formula C6H12O6

Glucose and fructose are both hexose sugars but have a different placement of their Carbonyl group.

Maltose and Sucrose are also isomers, chemical formula C12 H22 O11

Maltose is made of 2 glucose molecules while Sucrose is a glucose and a fructose.

Isomers

Organic macromolecules are all built using the same process, Dehydration Synthesis.

This process removes an –OH and –H from 2 molecules in order to join them.

Since water is often formed from the OH and H the process is also called “Condensation”

Dehydration Synthesis

Used for energy (2xs more than carbs), insulation, steroids, and as major structural components of the cell

Lipids are made of 2 different monomers, glycerol and fatty acids

A triglyceride is composed of one glycerol and three fatty acids

Lipids

The plasma membrane is critical to the function and homeostasis of the cell.

The membrane is a bilayer of phospholipids A phospholipid is a glycerol with a functional

phosphate attached and 2 fatty acids. The fatty acid tails are nonpolar or hydrophobic

and turn inward away from water One is saturated and the other is unsaturated. The phosphate group is polar or hydrophilic and

allows this portion to associate with water So a phospholipid is amphipathic, both polar and

nonpolar

Phospholipids

Cholesterol is a type of steroid. It has many critical roles in the body It is a component of the plasma membrane

found imbedded between phospholipids. It helps maintain the fluidity of the plasma

membrane, preventing it from becoming too fluid or too rigid.

Cholestrol is also critical to the production of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone

Cholesterol

Made of monomers called amino acids These amino acids are linked together to

form peptide bonds. Proteins are very large and diverse There are 20 different amino acids and

proteins range from 100s to 10,000 amino acids in length.

Each amino acid has a unique “R” group Each protein has 3 levels of structure and

some have 4.

Proteins

The 3D structure of a protein is critical to its function.

The 10 level is the sequence of amino acids The 20 level is the result of H bonding causes

the polypeptide chain to coil and fold The 30 level is globular and is the result of a

variety of interactions including hydrophobic and hydrophilic, ionic, covalent, and more H bonds

Protein structure

A protein’s 3D shape is directly related to the role it plays.

Jobs: receptors, signals, antibodies, transport, enzymes, structural fibers

A specific receptor in a cell is designed to fit with a specific signal protein the shapes are complementary and fit together like a “lock n key”.

The result is called the enzyme-substrate complex. The active site of the enzyme fits directly with the substrate.

Enzymes can also have helpers: coenzymes or cofactors. Many of these are essential vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin D which assists the body in the uptake of calcium.

Active site

How does a protein work?

Denaturation results when a protein has lost its shape.

What can cause this change? ◦ Elevated temperature◦ Altered pH, either high or low◦ Increased salinity

A protein can be permanently altered by denaturing or can be altered temporarily if the process does not impede the primary sequence of amino acids.

The denatured shape disrupts the “lock n key”

Denature

Enzymes function as catalyst in the human body. Increasing the rate of a reaction by lowering the

amount of energy needed for the reaction to occur (activation energy EA)

Reactions can be endergonic (energy in)or exergonic (energy out).

The addition of an enzyme will speed them up. But if the environment changes within the body,

critical enzymes can be denatured and reactions can slow down or stop.

Enzymes are proteins

Made of monomers called nucleotides Each nucleotide subunit is made of a single

phosphate, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogen base.

Nucleotides can function alone, ex ATP or ADP

Or be linked together to form DNA and RNA. DNA- deoxyribose nucleic acid RNA – ribose nucleic acid

Nucleic Acids

DNA is used to store the human genetic code Double helix with 2 strands held together with

weak H bonds DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell and

each cell has a complete copy of that persons genetic code

RNA is a single strand molecule found throughout the cell as one of 4 types: mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, snRNA

They all play a role in the function and reproduction of a cell and protein synthesis.

DNA and RNA

Each person has a unique set of genes This unique set is present in most of the cells of

our body. A DNA fingerprint is used to match that DNA to a

specific person. The DNA is extracted from a cell and then copies

are made in a PCR machine. The amplified sample is then digested into pieces,

and the pieces are separated using gel electrophoresis.

A picture is then produced called the DNA fingerprint.

DNA fingerprinting

Process