Organic Compounds Macromolecules u u u Made from

Organic Compounds

Macromolecules u u u Made from hundreds or thousands of smaller molecules. Organic chemistry is the study of all compounds that contain bonds between CARBON atoms. Polymerization: when large compounds are built by joining smaller ones together. – The smaller units, called monomers, join together to form polymers. u Macromolecules are classified into groups: – – Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic acids Proteins

Carbohydrates u u u made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually in a ratio of 1: 2: 1 main source of energy Also used for structural purposes Monosaccharides: single sugar molecules. Polysaccharides: numerous monosaccharides together. Starches and sugars

Lipids u Composed of carbon and hydrogen molecules u Include fats, oils, and waxes u used to store energy u Some are important parts of biological membranes and waterproof coverings u serve as chemical messengers u form when glycerol combines with fatty acids

Nucleic Acids contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus u Assembled from nucleotides. u Nucleotides: consist of three parts: a 5 carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. u store and transmit hereditary, or genetic, information. u – RNA (ribonucleic acid) – DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Proteins u u u u contain nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Proteins are polymers of molecules called amino acids. Amino acids: compounds with an amino group on one end a carboxyl group on the other. More than 20 amino acids are found in nature. – All amino acids are the same besides the R-group. – Each protein has a specific role. Some proteins control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes Some are used to form bones and muscles Others transport substances into or out of cells or help to fight diseases