Biological Macromolecules SC 912 L 18 1 Macromolecules
Biological Macromolecules SC. 912. L. 18. 1 -
Macromolecules monomer
Polymers • Macromolecules are made of polymers which are made of smaller, repeating parts called monomers • What are the monomers for each Macromolecule? • Carbohydrates (polymer) – Monosacharrides are the monomers for carbohydrates • Proteins (polymer) – Amino acids are the monomers for proteins (polypeptides) • Nucleic Acids (polymer) – Nucleotides are the monomers for nucleic acids. • Lipids are not considered polymers. – They have no monomers
Carbohydrates Building Blocks q Composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in a 1: 2: 1 ratio Components: C 6 H 12 O 6 q Monosaccharides are the monomer q Examples q Glucose q Galactose q Fructose Functions: q Main source of QUICK energy for living things (Monosaccharides) q Energy Storage– (polysaccharides) in animals glycogen is stored in the liver q in plants, starch is stored in the ROOTS q q Structural– to build cell walls cellulose (plants) q chitin (fungi) q These three polysaccharides are polymers of carbohydrates and are all made of glucose, a monosaccharide. The glucose is just arranged differently
Carbohydrates
Lipids Building Blocks: q Mostly made from carbon and hydrogen atoms, some oxygen Components: q A fat molecule consists of 3 fatty acids joined to a molecule of glycerol q Phospholipids in cell membranes are made of a phosphate group and 2 fatty acid chains Functions and Examples: q Long-term Energy storage molecules—Fats q Cell Membranes– in EVERY organism– phospholipids q Water-proofing– cuticle keeps water in and protects plant against infection; LIPIDS REPEL WATER! q Steroid Hormone (testosterone/Estrogen): chemical signals
Proteins Building Blocks: q Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, NITROGEN, and sometimes SULFUR. Components: q The monomer is the amino acid. The ribosome is where amino acids are assembled into PROTEINS. VERY IMPORTANT FACT: The SHAPE of a protein is what allows it to do its job. LOCK AND KEY– if the shape changes even slightly, the protein may not be able to do its job
Proteins Functions and Examples: q Speed up reactions-- ENZYMES q Regulate cell processes--HORMONES q Form bones and muscles— q COLLAGEN, ACTIN, AND MYOSIN q Transport substances into or out of cells– PROTEINS IN THE CELL MEMBRANE q Carrier and Channel proteins q Gas transport: Hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells transport oxygen to tissues. q Help to fight disease-- ANTIBODIES
Nucleic Acids Building Blocks: q Contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and PHOSPHORUS. Function: q Nucleic acids q q q Store genetic information Transmit hereditary, or genetic information to offspring (DNA) Transfer genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm (RNA) Examples: q There are two types of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA. Components: q The monomer is the nucleotide. q Nucleotides consist of three parts: q q q STAYS IN NUCLEUS Phosphate group Sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) Nitrogenous base (Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thymine or Uracil) LEAVES NUCLEUS
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