Transcript Organic Macromolecules

Organic Macromolecules
Organic Life Molecules
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Carbon based
Macromolecules - polymers
Found in all living things
Many different functions
• Carbon is a versatile atom.
• It has four electrons in an outer shell
that holds eight.
• Carbon can share its electrons with
other atoms to form up to four covalent
bonds.
• Carbon can use its bonds to attach to other
carbons
• Form an endless diversity of carbon skeletons
• The simplest organic compounds are
hydrocarbons, which are organic molecules
containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
• The simplest hydrocarbon is methane,
consisting of a single carbon atom bonded to
four hydrogen atoms.
• Larger hydrocarbons form fuels for engines.
• Hydrocarbons of fat molecules fuel our
bodies.
• Each type of organic molecule has a unique
three-dimensional shape.
• The shapes of organic molecules relate to
their functions.
Microbes within a typical cow
produce over 200 pounds of
methane gas each year.
Polymerization
• Connecting monomers to create polymers.
Biochemical Reactions
Connecting monomers
(building molecules)
by removing a water
molecule.
Hydrolysis
Separating monomers
(breaking molecules)
by adding a water molecule.
Americans consume an average of 140
pounds of sugar per person per year.
Carbohydrates
• Monomer – saccharides
• Functions – Fuel for living organisms, ID
markers for immune system
• Types – simple & complex (1:2:1)
Proteins
• Monomer- amino acids (20)
• Functions – catalyze reactions,
building blocks of living
organisms, fight diseases, provide structure &
transport
• Types- enzymes, antibodies, pumps and
channels, tissues
• All proteins have 3 different structures that help
determine what their function is:
-Primary, secondary & tertiary structures.
-SOME proteins have quaternary structures
What Determines Protein Shape?
• A protein’s shape is sensitive to the surrounding
environment.
• Unfavorable temperature and pH changes can
cause denaturation of a protein, in which it
unravels and loses its shape.
• High fevers (above 104º F) in humans can cause
some proteins to denature.
• Misfolded proteins are associated with
– Alzheimer’s disease
– Mad cow disease
– Parkinson’s disease
A typical cell in your body has about 2
meters of DNA.
Nucleic Acids
• Monomer – nucleotides
• Functions – store &
transmit genetic information.
• Types – Ribonucleic Acid & Deoxyribonucleic
Acid
Nucleic Acids & Proteins
DNA-Genes-RNA-Protein
Nucleotides – DNA- Genes- Chromosomes
Lipids
Saturated fats
Unsaturated Fats
Plant oils
Omega-3 fats
• Components - Fatty Acids & glycerol
• Functions - store energy, regulate hormonal
activities, biological membranes, cushioning,
insulation
• Types – fats, oils, waxes and steroids
– Saturated vs. unsaturated
Steroids
• Steroids are very different from fats in structure and
function.
• The carbon skeleton is bent to form four fused rings.
• Steroids vary in the functional groups attached to this
core set of rings.
• Cholesterol is a key part
of cell membranes
• The “base steroid” from
which other steroids like
estrogen and testosterone.
• Synthetic anabolic steroids
resemble testosterone and
mimic some of its effects
• Can cause serious physical
and mental problems
Most of the world’s people cannot
properly digest a glass of milk.
Fig. 3-27
DNA
Lactase gene
14,000 nucleotides
Human cell
Chromosome 2
Section of
(DNA in 46
(one DNA molecule) chromosome 2
Chromosomes)
C at this site causes
lactose intolerance
T at this site causes
lactose tolerance
Fig. 3-UN01
Dehydration
reaction
Short polymer
Monomer
Hydrolysis
Longer polymer
SEM
Fig. 3-19
1
2
Normal red blood cell
3
4
5
6
7. . . 146
Normal hemoglobin
SEM
(a) Normal hemoglobin
1
Sickled red blood cell
(b) Sickle-cell hemoglobin
2
3
4
5
6
Sickle-cell hemoglobin
7. . . 146
Fig. 3-11b
(b) A fat molecule with a glycerol “head” and three
energy-rich hydrocarbon fatty acid “tails”
Fig. 3-13
Cholesterol
Testosterone
A type of estrogen