MACROMOLECULES Unit 2 Biodiversity Organic vs Inorganic Organic

MACROMOLECULES Unit 2 - Biodiversity

Organic vs. Inorganic Organic All organic compounds contain carbon (C). All are bound with a covalent bond. Exs. Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids Inorganic Do NOT contain carbon. Bound with an ionic bond. Exs. Table salt (Na. Cl)

Carbon Carbon is an important biological element because it can form four bonds with other elements and long chains or rings Polymer – large molecule made up of many smaller units like starch Monomer – unit that makes up polymer; glucose is the monomer for starch

Carbon cntd. Carbon has a central role in the chemistry of living organisms (organic chemistry). Because of its ability to bond to itself and other elements Carbon makes chain polymers (hundreds or thousands of carbon atoms CARBON VIDEO (NPR website)

What does a living organism need? What types of molecules do living organisms need in order to survive. The 4 macromulecules (the largest macromolecules) are: Carbohydrates Lipids (fats) Proteins Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates Sugar molecules bonded together They function to serve as an energy source Simple sugars = monosaccharide ex. glucose Polymer of sugars = polysaccharide ex. cellulose and glycogen

Proteins Made up of: very long chains of amino acids There are over 20 different amino acids, which can combine in any order. Proteins are very large and complex molecules. Nitrogen plays an important part in proteins. Functions: Needed to build and repair body structures Regulate processes in body Ex. hemoglobin

Lipids Made up of: Mostly carbon and hydrogen polymers (very long) that do not dissolve in water Function: Store energy Make up cell membranes Store vitamins Insulation (keeping warm) Exs. Fats, Oils, Waxes

Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are the largest known organic molecules; made from thousands of repeating subunits called nucleotides There are two major types of nucleic acids: DNA RNA Functions: To store our genetic code.

Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Carbohydrate C, H, O Sugar Starch cellulose Releases energy for cells Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Protein C, H, O, N enzymes Used to build cell parts; Made of smaller parts called amino acids

Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Lipid C, H, O Fats Oils Waxes Stores and releases MORE energy for cells Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function C, H, O, N, P DNA RNA Stores hereditary information Nucleic Acid