Biological Molecules

• Macromolecules

  Mostly polymers formed by chains of identical or similar building blocks called monomers
• Carbohydrates

  • Sugars and their derivatives
  • Provides 4kcal of energy per gram
  • Has an empirical formula Cx(H2O)y, hence the term "hydrates of Carbon"
• Carbohydrate monomers

  Monosaccharides
• Carbohydrate bonding force

  Glycosidic Bond - covalent bond formed between a carbohydrate and any other molecule
• Carbohydrate functions

  • Main source of energy
  • Food storage compound
  • Forms structural components in plant cells
• Carbohydrate varieties or classifications

  • Monosaccharides - simplest of carbohydrates used to form more complex ones (glucose, fructose, and galactose)
  • Disaccharides - consist of two monosaccharides connected by a glycosidic bond (glucose + glucose = maltose, fructose + glucose = sucrose, and galactose + glucose = lactose)
  • Polysaccharides - macromolecules that may consist of a thousand monosaccharides connected by glycosidic bonds (starch, cellulose, and glycogen)
• Carbohydrate conditions

  • Too much = diabetes and blocked arteries
  • Too less = hypoglycemia
• Lipids

  • Includes fats and oils
  • Provides 9kcal per gram
  • Enables the body to utilize vitamins A, D, E and K
• Lipid monomers

  Glycerol and 3 Fatty Acids
• Lipid bonding force

  Ester Bond - formed through condensation reaction
• Lipid functions

  • Store and produce energy
  • Serves as an insulating material and solvent for fat-soluble vitamins and hormones
  • Prevents water loss in skin
• Lipid varieties or classifications

  • Saturated Fats - chain is straight; solid at room temperature; mostly found in animals; no double bonds
  • Unsaturated Fats - chain is bent; liquid at room temperature; mostly found in plants; has double bond at the center
• Lipid conditions

  • Too much = weight gain, heart disease (coronary), and obesity
  • Too less = risks of cancer, hemorrhagic stroke, depression, and anxiety
• Proteins

  • Molecular tools for cellular functions consisting of one or more polypeptide chains
  • 4kcal per gram
• Protein monomers

  Amino Acids
• Protein bonding force

  Peptide Bond - formed through dehydration synthesis
• Protein functions

  • Does most of the work in cells
  • Required for structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs
• Protein varieties or classifications according to structure

  • Primary - sequence of amino acids
  • Secondary - interactions between adjacent amino acids
  • Tertiary - 3D folding of the polypeptide
  • Quarternary - arrangements of multiple peptides
• Protein varieties or classifications according to function

  • Structural - for support and locomotion (Collagen, Keratin, Myosin and Actin)
  • Transport and Protective - respiration (Hemoglobin, Myoglobin, Prothrombin and Fibrinogen)
  • Hormonal or Regulatory - for sensitivity, coordination, and homeostasis (Insulin and Vasopressin)
  • Growth - Thyroxine
  • Catalytic (Enzyme) - Amylase
• Protein conditions

  • Too much = diarrhea and liver and kidney issues Too less = kwashiorkor (malnutrition caused by protein deficiency)
• Nucleic Acids

  • Storage of genetic information in cells
• Nucleic acid monomers

  Nucleotide (has phosphate, sugar, and a base)
• Nucleic acid bonding force

  Phosphodiester Bond - make up the backbone of the strands of nucleic acids
• Nucleic acid varieties or classifications according to type of sugar

  • DNA/Deoxyribonucleic Acid - heredity (Monomer: Deoxyribonucleotide, Sugar: Deoxyribose, Nitrogenous Bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine)
  • RNA/Ribonucleic Acid - protein synthesis (Monomer: Ribonucleotide, Sugar: Ribose, Nitrogenous Bases: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Uracil)
• Structural Proteins

  • Collagen - strength and flexibility in bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments
  • Keratin - found in hair, horns, nails, skin, beaks, and feathers
  • Myosin and Actin - muscle contraction
• Transport Proteins

  • Hemoglobin - transports oxygen
  • Myoglobin - oxygen storage in muscles
  • Prothrombin and Fibrinogen - blood clotting
• Hormonal or Regulatory Proteins

  • Insulin - lowers blood sugar levels
  • Vasopressin - regulates the body's retention of water
• Growth Proteins

  • Thyroxine - controls the growth process
• Catalytic Proteins (Enzymes)

  • Amylase - saliva
• Element Contents of Carbohydrates

  • Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
  • CHO
  • Hydrophilic
• Element Contents of Lipids

  • Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
  • CHO
  • Hydrophobic
• Element Contents of Proteins

  • Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur
  • CHONS
• Element Contents of Nucleic Acids

  • Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
  • CHONP