Biomolecules

Biomolecules Overview - Fill in the blank. Organic molecules have four common characteristics. First, they are all carbon based, meaning they all contain carbon. Carbon is the basic element of life. The organic molecules are formed from just a few elements which join together to form small molecules which join together, or bond, to form large molecules. All biomolecules contain the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The third characteristic of all organic molecules is that each is kind of organic molecule is built from a single type of building block called a monomer, meaning "one unit". For example, the building block of carbohydrates is a monosaccharide, the building blocks of lipids are fatty acids, the building block of proteins are amino acids and the building block of nucleic acids are nucleotides. When these building blocks are joined together, they form a large molecule (polymer), just as bricks joined together form a wall. Carbohydrate Overview - Fill in the blank Carbohydrates are the most common organic molecule because they make up most plant matter and plant-like organisms are the dominant organism on the planet. They (carbohydrates) are made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. Their building block is a single sugar called a monosaccharide. Sugars (monosaccharides) consist of carbon rings with an oxygenas part of the ring . When two monosaccharides, or sugars, combine, they form a disaccharide (di = two). When more than two monosaccharides join together, a polysaccharide (poly = many) is formed.There are four general classes of carbohydrate polysaccharides. The first is starch. Starch is a carbohydrate used in food storage in plants. Potatoes, pasta and rice are rich in starch. Starches are very valuable because they provide a quick form of energy for the body. The second is glycogen. Glycogen is used for food storage in animals. The third is cellulose. Cellulose is used for structural support in plants (stems, leaves). Animals cannot digest cellulose. Certain bacteria can, though, and a few animals like termites have those bacteria in their digestive system. The other polysaccharide similar to cellulose is chitin which is used by insects and fungi for structure. Lipids Overview - Fill in the Blanks Lipids are a class of organic molecules which includes fats and oils such as bacon grease and cooking oil, and has the functions of long-term storage of energy in the body; cellular communication and, most importantly, the structure of the cell membrane. The building block of lipids is the fatty acid, which is a chain of carbons with hydrogen attached to each side. Saturated fats have two other carbons and two hydrogens attached to each carbon (except the one at the end). Saturated fats are unhealthy fats like butter and Crisco. Saturated fats have all the S’s (straight (ish), single bonds, and tend to be solid at room temperature)Unsaturated fats are missing at least one hydrogen and are kinked in shape. The unsaturated fats are healthier, and include oils. Unsaturated fats are bent instead of straight, have double bonds instead of single bonds, and liquid at room temperature instead of solid at room temperature. Saturated vs. Unsaturated Label the Pictures Below as Saturated or Unsaturated Saturated Unsaturated Nucleic Acid Overview - Fill in the Blanks The third class of organic molecules is the nucleic acids. This class involves the genetic materials, DNA and RNA. DNA is the blueprint of life because it contains instructions on how to make proteins in the body. Each individual’s DNA is unique, which means that each individual has a unique set of proteins. That is why each of us looks and behaves differently. RNA is a half copy of DNA. Because DNA can’t leave the cell’s nucleus, and because proteins are constructed outside of the nucleus in the cytoplasm, the RNA is necessary to carry the instructions from DNA to the cytoplasm where the protein is made. The monomer of nucleic acids is the nucleotide. All nucleic acids are formed from a series of these nucleotides. Nucleotides consist of three parts: a five-carbon sugar (one of the carbons is not in the ring), a phosphate group and a nitrogen base. There are 2 types of nucleotides, purines and pyrimidines. The purineshave a double ring (a hexagon and a pentagon) attached together and the pyrimidines have only one hexagonal ring.The structure of DNA resembles that of a twisted ladder. This twisted ladder of DNA is called a double helix. The rails of the DNA ladder are made from alternating sugars and phosphates (sugar-phosphate-sugar-phosphate-sugar…). In DNA, the sugar is called deoxyribose. The rungs of the ladder are made of four different kinds of bases stuck together in the middle by a set of Hydrogenbonds with one base hanging off of the sugar portion of each rails. The four bases are A, T, C and G. These molecules are amazing because every living organismis the way it is because of the code created by those four molecules. Proteins Overview - Fill in the Blanks Proteins are organic molecules that form muscles and carry oxygen(hemoglobin) in vertebrate animals(things with a backbone), form hormoneswhich act as chemical messages, and most importantly, proteins act as the machinery in all cells in the form of enzymes. Their monomer is the amino acid. Proteins are made of amino acids combined through a dehydration (remember the byproduct produced was water) synthesis called a peptide bond. When groups of amino acids are joined together, a protein is formed.There are about 20 different kinds of amino acids. These amino acids consist of five separate parts. The first is a central carbon atom. Second is a carboxyl group (-COOH). Third is an amino group (-NH2). Fourth is a hydrogen. The fifth group is a variable ‘R’ group. The only difference in the 20 kinds of amino acids is the “R” group. Some “R” groups are very small, others are large, and even others form chains and rings and some have Sulfur. The sequence and shapes of the “R” groups control the shape and function of the protein. Sort the information into the correct category of biomolecule. Carbohydrates Monosaccharide Polysaccharide Glucose Starch cellulose Lipids Glycerol Fatty Acids Fats Phospholipids Hydrophobic Steroids membrane structure Proteins Amino Acids Polypeptides Catalyst Muscle Movement Enzyme Hormones Nucleic Acids Nucleotides Genetic Information DNA RNA Nitrogenous Bases Going across the table, put the correct information for each biomolecule. Biomolecule Monomer Example Function Carbohydrate Monosaccharide Glucose, Starch, Glycogen, Cellulose Short term energy, Food storage, Structural support Lipid Glycerol Fatty Acids Fats, Steroids, Phospholipids Long term energy, Cellular membranes, Insulation Protein Amino Acids Muscle Fibers, Actin, Flagella Catalyst, Enzymes, Hormones, Movement Nucleic Acids Nucleotides DNA RNA Genetic Information, Gene Expression Match each prefix, suffix or root with the correct definition. mono- single di- two poly- many hydro- water saccharide sugar macro- large tri- three Bio Life