biomolecules

• Biomolecules


  Molecules that are essential for the functioning of living organisms, obtained from food
• Biomolecules

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Nucleic Acids
• Levels of organization

  • Atoms
  • Molecules
  • Macromolecules
• Monomers (building blocks)

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Nucleic Acids
• Carbohydrates


  Sugars that provide 4 kilocalories per gram
• Carbohydrates


  • Primary energy source for the body
  • Elements present: C, H, O (1:2:1 ratio)
• Sugars that make up carbohydrates

  • Monosaccharides (e.g. glucose, fructose, galactose)
  • Disaccharides (e.g. maltose, sucrose, lactose)
  • Polysaccharides (e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin)
• Starch


  Used for energy storage in plants, found in potatoes, pasta and rice
• Glycogen


  Used for energy storage in animals, formed in the liver
• Cellulose


  • Provides structural support in plants, found in cell walls
  • Chitin: found in exoskeletons of arthropods and cell walls of some fungi, provides fiber
• Carbohydrates are primarily in a ring shape
• Lipids


  Fats that provide 9 kilocalories per gram
• Lipids


  • Store energy, insulate the body, and make up the cell membrane
  • Elements: C-H-O
  • Monomers: glycerol and 3 fatty acids
  • Polymers: phospholipids, triglycerides
• Saturated lipids


  Bonds between carbons are single, solid at room temperature, mainly animal fats
• Unsaturated lipids


  At least one double or triple bond between carbons, liquid at room temperature, mainly plant-based and oily fish
• Lipids are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water
• Lipid structure consists of long strands of carbon and hydrogen, called hydrocarbons
• Proteins


  Biomolecules that build us, providing 4 kilocalories per gram
• Proteins


  • Transport molecules, control chemical reactions, used for growth and repair
  • Make up the structure of living things like hair, nails, skin, bones, and muscle
  • Elements: C-H-O-N
• Amino acids


  Monomers that make up proteins, there are 20 different kinds
• Protein structure


  Amino acids joined by peptide bonds to form polypeptides and proteins
• Nucleic acids are not necessarily obtained from food
• Nucleic acids

  • Provide genetic information and hold instructions to make proteins
  • Elements: C-H-O-N-P
  • Monomers: nucleotides
  • Polymers: DNA, RNA, ATP
• Nucleotides are made up of sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen base