ORGANIC CHEMISTRYMacromolecule Function

CarbohydratesHow are carbohydrates used in living things?(click on each arrow)

A. Energy

B. Energy Storage

C. Structure

Glucose• Glucose is the monosaccharide of choice for animals.• Glucose is produced through photosynthesis in plants. • Glucose is metabolized to produce energy in cellular respiration.

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Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration

Glycogen and Starch (polysaccharides)• Glucose that is not used for immediate energy is polymerized

(monomers link together) to form glycogen. • Glycogen is primarily stored in the liver and muscle tissue.• Glycogen can be broken down into glucose when needed.

• Starch is the stored form of energy in plants.

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Cellulose• Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls

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LipidsHow are lipids used in living things?(click on each arrow)

C. Metabolism

A. Energy Storage

B. Structure

Triglycerides• Lipids are stored as triglycerides which can be broken down to

produce energy as needed.

Notice: a triglyceride is a polymer of 3 fatty acid monomers

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Phospholipids• Cell membranes are made of a phospholipid bilayer

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Vitamins

• Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble. These vitamins play vital roles in metabolism as well as growth and development.

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Nucleic AcidsHow are nucleic acids used in living things?

A. Heredity

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

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• The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four nucleotides each containing one of the following nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).

• Copies of DNA are transcribed in the nucleus by mRNA.

RNA (ribonucleic acid)• The main job of RNA is to transfer the genetic code needed for

the creation of proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome during a process called translation.

• There are three types of RNA: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).

• RNA nitrogenous bases consist of Adenine (A), Uracil (U) (instead of thymine in DNA), Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G).

• RNA is the source of genetic information in viruses.

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ProteinsHow are proteins used in living things?(click on each arrow)

A. Metabolism

B. Structure

C. Transport

Enzymes• Enzymes are involved in a large variety of metabolic functions.• Each enzyme is able to promote only one type of chemical reaction. • The compounds on which the enzyme acts are called substrates.

HormonesSeveral hormones of the endocrine system are responsible for controlling the rate of metabolism. An example would be insulin and its role in glucose metabolism.

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Fibrous Proteins• Collagen and keratin are structural proteins. • Collagen is a major component of skin,

muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments.• Keratin is found in hair and nails.

• Chitin is found in organisms that have exoskeletons like crustaceans and some insects.

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Cell Membrane Proteins• Cells membranes contain a variety of proteins that are embedded in the

membrane• These proteins function as receptor sites, ion channels and some allow for

the transport of more complex molecules across the membrance needed for cell metabolism.