MACROMOLECULES YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Macromolecules Living

MACROMOLECULES YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

Macromolecules • Living things are made mostly of the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosporus, and Sulfur (CHONPS) with a few other elements in small amounts. • These create four key building blocks of life called “macromolecules”. Each of the macromolecules performs a different function in the body and is structurally different. • All macromolecules are polymers (large structures) usually made of monomers (repeating smaller pieces)

Macromolecules • The four building blocks of ALL life are… – Carbohydrates: for structure and energy – Proteins: for structure, function, and performance – Lipids: for insulation, energy storage, and waterproofing – Nucleic Acids: for genetic instructions • All living things (no matter how different they seem) contain these same four structures. Note: this is evidence for evolution.

Carbohydrates • Main Function – • Chemical Test – main source of energy Benedict’s reagent (and structure in (sugar); Iodine plants) (starch) • Monomer – Monosaccharide sugar • Polymer – polysaccharide starch

Examples of Carbohydrates

Examples of Carbohydrates

Lipids (fats) • Main Function – • Chemical Test – store extra energy, Sudan Red waterproof, insulate • Monomer/Polymer – None. Each type has a unique structure.

Lipid Examples

Lipid Examples

Proteins • Main Function – Almost everything from digestion (enzymes) to structure (muscles) • Monomer – amino acids (20 different kinds) • Polymer - polypeptide chain (of amino acids) that folds into a final protein • Chemical Test – Biuret’s reagent

Protein Example

Protein Example

Protein Example

Protein Example

Protein Example

Nucleic Acids (DNA or RNA) • Monomer – Nucleotides • Polymer – Nucleic Acid (DNA/RNA) • Main Function – genetic instructions • Chemical Test – No test

Nucleic Acid Examples

Nucleic Acid Examples