Organic Macromolecules

“hydrated carbon” CH2O FUEL, immediately available Some are structural (cellulose) but also

have lots of C-C and C-H bonds available as fuel (wood)

Sugars, carbs and starches < 1 % of body mass in humans 4 calories/gram

CARBOHYDRATES

Monosaccharides◦ 3 to 7 carbons; fructose, glucose, galactose, glucose, lactose, etc◦ Used by cells as fuel; Burned in mitochondria to generate ATP◦ Produced by plants during photosynthesis

Disaccharides◦ 2 sugars bonded with dehydration synthesis◦ Sucrose and maltose◦ Transport form for sugars in plants

Polysaccharides◦ Complex carbohydrates with 1000’s sugars◦ Store fuel◦ STARCH found in seeds (corn) and grains (wheat and rice) and

roots/tubers (potatoes)◦ Also stored as glycogen in animal muscle and liver

Saccharide = sugar

C and H with relatively little O Fatty acids (lauric acid, butyric acid, oleic acid ,etc) Sometimes a little N or S Saturated vs unsaturated vs polyunsaturated Include fats, oils and waxes Normally 12 – 20 % of body weight in humans 9 calories/ gram Omega 3 fatty acids Many functions:

◦ IF fuel – its STORED fuel/ LONG term storage◦ Insulation; thermal and electrical◦ Cushion especially vital organs◦ Chemical messengers; hormones and prostaglandins – “cholestrol”◦ Water proofing; wax on leaves◦ Cell membranes; phospholipid bilayer

LIPIDS

Form from amino acid chains N- C bonds called peptide bonds C, H, N, O and Sulfur 100s – 1000s of amino acids per protein 20 different amino acids FUNTIONS:

◦ Support◦ Movement◦ Transport◦ Buffering◦ Regulation ◦ Coordination / Control◦ defense

PROTEINS

Primary structure – linear sequence of amino acids, based on DNA code/ covalent bonds

Secondary structure – side groups start to attract and coil / hydrogen bonds

Tertiary structure – 3D shape forms, cross linking between “loops” / disulfide bonds

Quaternary structure – multiple “subsections” of protein connect to make complete protein

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Lower activation energy so reaction happens faster or at lower temperature

Lock and key fit – specific 3D shape Specificity Cofactors – ions or molecules that allow

enzymes to catalyze reactions. Vitamins – related to carbs and lipids, these

organic compounds are turned into coenzymes. Need as nutrients can’t make

Enzymes

C, H, N, O, P, S DNA

◦ Deoxyribonucleic acid; stores information and transmits it to next generation

RNA◦ Ribonucleic acid; carries information from nucleus

to ribosomes A T C G and U A is same adenine as in ATP

NUCLEIC ACIDS

Covalent bonds Ionic bonds Hydrogen bonds

CHEMISTRY REVIEW