BIOMOLECULES DISCUSSION
What is a Biomolecule?
Organic molecule made by living organisms
Consist mostly of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O)
But wait…What is an Organic Molecule?
Organic Molecules:
Contain carbonConsidered the “chemicals of life”
Inorganic Molecules:
Do not contain carbon
Monomers vs. Polymers
Monomers:
Molecules that may react with similar molecules to form a chain
Polymers:
A chain of many monomers that are chemically bonded together
Formation of Polymers
Animation
How are polymers formed?
Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation): Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are removed from the monomers to form water, and the two monomers are joined together.
Breakdown of Polymers
Animation
How are polymers broken down?
Hydrolysis—the reverse of dehydration synthesis (condensation)
Water added to the polymer, un-linking the chain and breaking it back down to its original monomer units
Carbohydrates
What are they?Group of organic molecules that includes sugars,
starches and cellulose.
Carbohydrates
Structure:
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio
(CH2O)n – n is an integer such as 5 (C5H10O5)
Subunits: Monosaccharides, such as glucose or fructose
Most often in a ring shapeSubunits are connected with covalent bonds
Monosaccharide Example
Disaccharide Example
Polysaccharide Example
Carbohydrates
Function:
EnergyStructural SupportCell WallCell Membrane Marker
Lipids
What are they?Organic molecule group including fats and
phospholipids
Lipids
Structure:
Subunits:○ Glycerol and fatty acids○ Glycerol and fatty acids plus phosphate group
Insoluble in waterDo not form large polymers (2 or 3 fatty acids
with glycerol) ○ Examples: diglyceride and triglyceride
Triglyceride Example
Phospholipid Example
Lipids
Function:
Energy storageInsulationPart of cell membrane (phospholipids)Hormones
Proteins What are proteins?
Group of organic molecules that provides structure and facilitates chemical reactions.
Proteins
Structure:
Subunits: Amino acidsAmino acids connect via peptide bondsVery large moleculesGlobular or structural
Amino Acid
Proteins
Function:
Lots of functions!Enzymes (speed rate of chemical reactions)Structural components in cellsMechanical functions in muscles and
cytoskeleton (internal cell framework)Cell signalingImmune response
Nucleic Acids
What are Nucleic Acids?
Group of organic molecules including DNA and RNA
Nucleic Acids
Structure:Subunits are nucleotides—5-Carbon sugar,
Nitrogen base and one or more Phosphate groups
Nucleic Acids
Function:
Storage and retrieval of information:○ Encode genes○ Gene expression