Biochemistry Lecture Notes Mr Rosenberg Biochemistry Organic Compounds

Biochemistry Lecture & Notes Mr. Rosenberg

Biochemistry • Organic Compounds • Contain carbon • Inorganic Compounds • Do not contain carbon • Water is one

Water • Water is the universal solvent – It dissolves almost everything

Organic Compounds • Organic compounds are composed of hundreds of individual molecules – The “building blocks” of a polymer are called monomers

Organic Compounds • The long molecules formed by monomers are called polymers

Macromolecules • 4 Types of Organic Compounds or macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. – Essential to maintaining life processes

My lunch! (not really) • Carbohydrates, protein, lipids

Carbohydrates • Make up sugars, starches, and cellulose • The ratio of the atoms is 1 C : 2 H : 1 O • Provide energy to cells • Dissolve in water (hydrophilic)

Types of Carbohydrates • Carbohydrates are classified according to size. • One sugar is a monosaccharide (monomer). • Many sugar molecules linked together form a polysaccharide (polymer).

The simplest Carbohydrate: Glucose

Yummy

Monosaccharide Milk Sugar Fruit Sugar Types of Carbs

Disaccharide Maltose is two glucose molecules; forms in digestive tract of humans during starch digestion. Types of Carbs

Polysaccharide Starch is straight chain of glucose molecules with few side branches. Types of Carbs

Lipids • The three types of lipids are fats, oils, and waxes • Typically contain two monomers – glycerol and fatty acids • Lipids don’t mix with water – Oil in water floats on top

Butter

Fats and Oils

Monomers in Lipids

Functions of Lipids • Lipids store energy for later use by the body • Lipids also serve as padding and protection for the body

Lipid does not dissolve in water: simple!

Structure of a Lipid • hydrophilic • hydrophobic

Lipids: A Head & Three Tails

Cell Membranes • Lipid Bilayer: makeup cell membranes – Head is the phosphate group. • Hydrophilic – Tails are the fatty acids. • Hydrophobic

Saturated & Unsaturated Fats

Proteins • Proteins are the building materials for the body • Hair, skin, muscles, and organs are made mostly of proteins • Proteins are structural AND functional

Function of Proteins • The building blocks of proteins are amino acids (monomers) • Amino acids are connected by a peptide bond • Proteins serve as enzymes which control rate of reactions and regulate cell processes. • Amino acid chains are called polypeptides • A protein contains one or more polypeptide chains

Amino Acids Function of Proteins

Nucleic Acids (DNA & RNA) • Nucleotides are the monomers of DNA and RNA • DNA is the genetic material

Clarification • So, Nucleic Acids are one of our four groups and are a polymer • There are two types of Nucleic Acids – DNA – RNA • These are themselves made of a Nucleotide, which is a monomer

Nucleic Acids • A nucleotide has three components: 1. Sugar (Deoxyribose or Ribose) 2. Phosphate 3. Nitrogen Base

The End • Pat yourself on the back - good job!