BIOMOLECULES

Biologically Important Molecules

Biomolecules are biologically important molecules.

DEFINITIONSBiomolecules are molecules found in living things.

Biomolecules are also called organic compounds because they contain the element carbon and

macromolecules because they are large molecules.

DEFINITIONS CONT’D

Monomer – one unitPolymer – many repeating units

THE FOUR BIOMOLECULESCarbohydratesProteins LipidsNucleic acids

CARBOHYDRATESMonomer: monosaccharide (glucose)

Polymers: disaccharide (sucrose) polysaccharide (starch, cellulose)

Function: store energy, building blocks for other molecules

Found in: potatoes, bread, fruit, vegetables, soda

Carbohydrate Monomer - Glucose

PROTEINS

Monomer: amino acid (20)Polymer: PolypeptideFunctions: form bones and muscle, transport substances into and out of the cell, movement, protection against disease, to speed up chemical reactions

Found in: meat, legumes, nuts, diary products

Protein Monomer – Amino Acid

LIPIDS

Monomers: Glycerol plus fatty acidsPolymers: Fats, waxes, oils, steroids Functions: stores large amounts of energy, provides insulation, solubility of fats, and waterproofing

Found in: red meat, cheese, dairy, potato chips

Lipid Monomer – Glycerol + fatty acidsG

lycerol

NUCLEIC ACIDSMonomer: nucleotidePolymer: DNA and RNAFunction: carries hereditary information (DNA), carries the instructions for the making of proteins (RNA)

Found in: all cells

Nucleic Acid Monomer -Nucleotide

DNA RNA

Enzymes

ENZYMES ARE PROTEINS

Chemical reactions break and form in reactants to form new bonds in products.

CO2 + H2O → H2CO3Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the energy needed to get the reaction started (activation energy).

ENZYMES LOWER ACTIVATION ENERGY

ENZYMES

The shape of the enzyme must match the shape of the substrate in order for the enzyme to work, like a key must fit a lock.

ENZYMES

A change in pH or high temperatures will change the shape of the enzyme, which causes the enzyme not to work.

No longer a lock and key

fit.

LIFE WITHOUT ENZYMES

Without enzymes, chemical reactions in living things would occur too slowly. Living things would die without them.