2. Carbon and 4 Major Macromolecules

Topic 2 BIO1011

What are the elements most abundant in the atmosphere?

Hydrogen and helium

What elements account for 90% of total dry mass?

CHON

Why is silicon less versatile compared to carbon?

Readily binds with oxygen

What are the following features of carbon that allow it t be the chemical backbone of life?

1.Tetrahedral arrangement of carbons electron orbitals

• allows formation of diverse mols branching in diff directions

2. Ability of a single C atom to form up to 4 covalent bonds

3. C ability to link together to form long, chained, branching molecules

What are the 4 major macromolecules (LNPC)

1. Lipids

2. Nucleic acid

3. Protein

4. Carbohydrates

Name the monomers and the bonds that link them together (LNPC)

Lipids - not defined by chemical structures

Nucleic acid - nucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds

Protein - Amino acids linked by peptide bonds

Carbohydrates - Monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds

Explain what glycosidic bonds are

Type of covalent bond formed between carbon I of one monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group carried by a carbon atom in a different monosaccharide molecule