Macromolecules Life Small Picture to Big Picture Macromolecules
Macromolecules
Life: Small Picture to Big Picture Macromolecules
What are Macromolecules? �Cells and their organelles are made up of smaller building blocks called macromolecules. �There are 4 basic types of macromolecules. They are: � Lipids � Proteins � Carbohydrates � Nucleic Acids
Monomers & Polymers �Macromolecules are actually made up of even smaller subunits. Each subunit of a macromolecule is called a monomer. �The macromolecules themselves are called polymers, because they are made up of many of these subunits. Monomer: one basic unit or subunit Polymer: a chain of many basic units
What you need to know: �Names of the 4 macromolecules �Structure- monomers and polymers of each �Function- what are they used for? �Food sources- what foods will you find these in? �Indicator Tests- what tests do we use to find out if a food contains them?
Lipids
Lipids: Structure �Lipids are made up of… � Monomer (basic unit): fatty acids � Polymer (chain of units): lipids �Specific examples: triglycerides, phospholipids
Lipids: Structure* Properties of Lipids caused by: Saturated vs. Unsaturated fatty acids Polar head and nonpolar tail regions Hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
Lipids: Function �Make up the cell membrane, providing cell structure �Provide insulation (fat keeps body warm) �Long-term energy storage
Lipids: Food Sources �As you might have guessed, fatty foods contain lipids. �Lipids are found in meat and fish, oils, avacados, eggs & nuts.
Research Question �Which elements are found in lipids? ?
Lipids: Indicator Test �Paper Bag Test: � Smear substance onto paper bag � If see-thru, it contains lipids
Proteins
Proteins: Structure �Proteins are made up of… � Monomer (basic unit): amino acids � 20 different kinds!* � Polymer (chain of units): protein �More specifically- polypeptides dipeptide Amino acids linked by peptide bonds
Proteins: Structure* 20 Amino Acids: Some of these are polar & hydrophilic, others are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Proteins can contain both kinds.
Proteins: Structure Proteins have complex structures. The shape of a protein determines its function! The levels of protein structure are: Primary structure: polypeptide chain Secondary structure: polypeptides in coils or sheets Tertiary structure: coils or sheets form a tangle Quaternary structure: more than one tangle combine to make a very complex protein!
Proteins: Function �Build and repair muscle and tissues � “No pain, no gain!” �Enzymes- proteins that speed up chemical reactions
Proteins: Food Sources �Proteins are found in meat, fish, legumes, nuts, milk, eggs, grains and soy products. �There are 6 amino acids that our bodies cannot makewe can only get these from food.
Research Question �Which elements are found in protein? ?
Proteins: Indicator Test �Biuret’s Solution: � Turns from blue to purple if protein is present
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates: Structure �Carbohydrates are made up of… � Monomer (basic unit): simple sugars (or monosaccharides) �Ex. : glucose � Polymer (chain of units): complex carbohydrates (or polysaccharides) �Ex. : starch, cellulose, chitin, glycogen Disaccharide: 2 simple sugars bonded together
Carbohydrates: Function Provide body with energy! Complex carb (ex. Starch) What should you eat before playing the big game? Candy bar or pasta? Candy bar: contains simple sugars, provides a short burst of energy Pasta: contains starch which takes longer to break down, provides longer-lasting energy *We can’t digest cellulose- it is used as fiber, or roughage instead. Ex. : corn Broken down to disaccharides Broken down further Simple sugars (ex. Glucose)
Carbohydrates: Food Sources Simple carbs (simple sugars) are found in most candy and sweet drinks, fruit, vegetables, and milk. They are quickly digested and give a short burst of energy. Complex carbs (like starches) are found in pasta, bread, potatoes, legumes & corn. They take longer to digest, and provide energy longer.
Research Question �Which elements are found in carbohydrates? ?
Carbohydrates: Indicator Tests Simple Sugars: Benedict’s solution Blue solution turns orange/green/brown Complex Carbs: Lugol’s solution/Iodine Turns from orange-redbrown to black-purple
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic Acids: Structure �Nucleic Acids are made up of… � Monomers (basic unit): nucleotides � Polymers (chain of units): DNA or RNA
Nucleic Acids: Function �Stores and carries genetic information
Nucleic Acids: Food Sources �We get nucleic acid components from vitamins and minerals in our diet. These in turn, come from fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, & almost anything else you can think of with some nutritional value (no junk food!).
Research Question �Which elements are found in nucleic acids? ?
Nucleic Acids: Indicator Test �You will not be using an indicator test for these but in case you’re wondering… �Dische diphenylamine test � Turns from clear-light blue to dark blue if nucleic acids are present
Digestion & Reconstruction �When macromolecules are eaten, they are digested and broken down into their subunits (monomers). � Analogy: taking apart an old brick building �Inside the cells, these subunits are reconstructed into the macromolecules we need. � Analogy: using bricks to build a new building
Digestion Products Macromolecule eaten: Carbohydrates Broken down in stomach to: Simple sugars (i. e. glucose) Lipids Proteins Fatty acids & glycerol (glycerol further broken down to glucose) Amino acids Nucleic Acids Nucleotides
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