2. Organic Molecules
• Organic molecules are those that have carbon atoms.
• In living systems, large organic molecules, called
macromolecules, may consist of hundreds or
thousands of atoms.
• Most macromolecules are polymers, molecules that
consist of a single unit (monomer) repeated many
times.
3.
4. Carbon compound formation
Complex molecules can be formed by connecting carbon atoms
together in a straight line or by connecting carbons together to form
rings.
• The presence of nitrogen, oxygen, and other atoms adds additional
variety to these carbon molecules.
5. Functional groups
*Many organic
molecules share similar
properties because
they have similar
clusters of atoms,
called functional
groups.
• Each functional group
gives the molecule a
particular property,
such as acidity or
polarity.
7. What are Macromolecules?
Cells and their organelles are made up of smaller
building blocks called macromolecules.
There are 4 basic types of macromolecules.
They are:
Lipids
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids
8. Monomers & Polymers
Macromolecules are actually made up of even smaller
subunits. Each subunit of a macromolecule is called a
monomer.
The macromolecules themselves are called polymers,
because they are made up of many of these subunits.
Monomer: one basic unit or subunit
Polymer: a chain of many basic units
9. What you need to know:
Names of the 4 macromolecules
Structure- monomers and polymers of each
Function- what are they used for?
11. Lipids
• Lipids are organic molecules essential
for life that are composed mostly of C,
H, O
• 4 types of lipids
– fats (triglycerides)
– phospholipids
– steroids
– waxes
12. Structure of Lipids
Lipids are made up of monomers called fatty acids
fatty acids have two essential features:
1. A long hydrocarbon chain
• The chain length ranges from 4 to 30 carbons
2. A carboxylic acid group
13. Properties of Lipids
resulted from:
1. Saturation of fatty
acids with Hydrogen:
Saturated f.a’s VS. Unsaturated f.a’s
2. Polarity:
Some lipids consists of Polar head
(Hydrophilic) and nonpolar tail
regions (hydrophobic)
14. Triglycerides
– Fat molecules
• Structure = 3 fatty acids chains linked to
glycerol
• Functions = long term energy storage
• Can be saturated or unsaturated
Glycerol
3 fatty
acids
ester bond
15. Saturated fats
• All C bonded to H
• No C=C double bonds
– long, straight chain
– most animal fats and butter
– solid at room temperature
16. Unsaturated fats
• At least one C=C double
bond in the fatty acids
– plant & fish fats
– vegetable oils
– liquid at room temperature
17. • Structure: 2 fatty acids (tails) + phosphate
group (head)
• Fatty acid chains = non-polar = hydrophobic “water
fearing”
• Phosphate head = polar = hydrophillic “water loving”
•Function: make up cell
membranes (phospholipid bilayer)
Phospholipids
18. Steroids
• Structure: 4 fused Carbon rings
• examples:
– cholesterol – Function =control the fluidity of the cell
membrane
– hormones – Function = regulate many processes in the
body
– vitamins (A, B, D) – Function = supports metabolism and
cell processes
19. AP Biology
• Solid at room temp
• Insoluble in water
• Function:
– Protective
covering for
animals and plants
• Examples:
– Beeswax
– Cuticle of leaf (keeps
water in)
Wax
20. Functions of Lipids
Make up the cell membrane, providing cell structure
Provide insulation (fat keeps body warm)
Long-term energy storage
22. Structure of Proteins
Proteins are made up of monomers
(basic unit) called amino acids
There are 20 different a.a’s
Proteins are also called
polypeptides
dipeptide
Amino acids
linked by
peptide
bonds
23. 20 Amino Acids:
Some of these are polar & hydrophilic, others are non-polar and
hydrophobic. Proteins can contain both kinds.
24. Proteins have complex
structures. The shape of a
protein determines its function!
The levels of protein structure
are:
Primary structure: polypeptide
chain
Secondary structure:
polypeptides in coils or sheets
Tertiary structure: coils or
sheets form a tangle
Quaternary structure: more
than one tangle combine to
make a very complex protein
25. Functions of Proteins
Enzymes- proteins that speed up chemical reactions
Component of Cell membrane
Build and repair of muscles and
tissues
Ex. Actin, Myosin, Collagen….
26. Food Sources of Proteins
Proteins are found in meat, fish, legumes, nuts, milk,
eggs, grains and soy products.
There are 6 amino acids that our bodies cannot make-
we can only get these from food.
What are they called???
30. Structure of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are made up of monomers called
monosaccharides.
Ex.: Glucose, Fructose, ….
When 2 Monosaccharides are linked
to each other they form a Disaccharide
galactose + glucose = ???
glucose + glucose = ???
glucose + fructose = ???
Polymer (chain of units): polysaccharides
Ex.: starch, cellulose, chitin, glycogen
Disaccharide:
2 simple
sugars bonded
together
Glucose
31. Functions of Carbohydrates
Provide body with energy.
What should you eat before
playing the big game?
Candy bar or pasta?
Candy bar: contains simple
sugars, provides a short
burst of energy
Pasta: contains starch
which takes longer to break
down, provides longer-
lasting energy
Some carbohydrates are
indigestible by humans
such as cellulose, however,
it serves as fibers in the
digestive system.
Complex carb (ex. Starch)
Simple sugars (ex. Glucose)
Broken down to
disaccharides
Broken down further
32. Food Sources of
Carbohydrates
Simple sugars are found in
most candy and sweet drinks,
fruit, vegetables, and milk.
They are quickly digested and
give a short burst of energy.
Complex sugars (like starches)
are found in pasta, bread,
potatoes, legumes & corn. They
take longer to digest, and provide
energy longer.
38. Food Sources of Nucleic Acids
We get nucleic acid components from vitamins and
minerals in our diet. These in turn, come from fruits,
vegetables, grains, meats, & almost anything else
you can think of with some nutritional value (no junk
food!).
40. Nucleic Acids: Indicator Test
You will not be using an indicator test for
these but in case you’re wondering…
Dische diphenylamine test
Turns from clear-light blue
to dark blue if nucleic acids
are present
41. Digestion & Reconstruction
When macromolecules are eaten, they are digested and
broken down into their subunits (monomers).
Inside the cells, these subunits are reconstructed into the
macromolecules we need.
42. Digestion Products
Macromolecule
eaten:
Broken down in stomach
to:
Carbohydrates Simple sugars (i.e. glucose)
Lipids Fatty acids & glycerol
(glycerol further broken
down to glucose)
Proteins Amino acids
Nucleic Acids Nucleotides