CH3: Molecules of Life

Elements of Life

Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorous

macromolecules

complex structure: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins

micromolecules

simple structures: simple sugars, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleotides

monomer

small molecules which may be joined together in a repeating fashion to form more complex molecules

polymer

a natural or synthetic macromolecule composed of repeating units of a smaller molecule. A chemical compound where molecules are bound together in long repeating chains.

carbon is

the backbone of life

monosaccharides

simple sugars (glucose, fructose)

disaccharides

pairs of monosaccharides bonded together, one is always glucose. sucrose, lactose, maltose

simple carbs

monosaccharides and disaccharides

complex carbs

oligosaccharides and polysaccharides

oligosaccharides

chains of 3-10 simple sugars. probiotics, legumes, human milk.

polysaccharides

straight or branched chains of many sugar monomers. cellulose, starch, glycogen

lipids

body's major energy reservoir. structural foundation of cells' membranes

unsaturated fat

sourced from plants. molecules aren't closely packed. essential fatty acids

saturated fat

sourced from animals. closely packed molecules. "Unhealthy"

phospholipids

make up biological membranes. heads are hydrophilic, tails are hydrophobic.

nucleotides

small organic molecules and a monomer for nuclelic acids.

nucleotide function

energy carriers, enzyme helpers, chemical messengers, and subunits of RNA and DNA

nucelic acids

polymers of nucleotides in which the sugar of one nucleotide is attached to the phosphate group of the next.

Carbohydrates are the most...

abundant biological molecules

proteins are the most...

diverse biological molecules

R-Group

chemical structure that distinguishes amino acids from each other

protein

an organic compound composed of one or more chains of amino acids.

essential amino acids

can't be synthesized by the body, need to be found in diet. needed for body functions.

nonessential amino acids

can be synthesized by the body. needed for body functions

peptide bonds

groups of amino acids joined together together through a process called condensation

polypeptide

a chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds in a condensation reaction between groups of amino acids

Primary Protein structure

linear sequence of amino acids

Secondary Protein Structure

coiled/sheet polypeptide chain. non linear 3D. formed and stabilized by hydrogen bonding.

Tertiary Protein Structure

coiled/sheet polypeptide chain, nonlinear, 3D, globular. the coils and/or sheets twist to form functional structures. Hydrophobic amino acids arrange themselves on the inside of the molecule.

Quaternary Protein Structure

folded polypeptide chains join together to form big molecule. nonlinear, 3D, globular. formed by hydrogen and covalent bonding. hydrophilic/phobic packing and exposure.

denaturation

when a complete, functioning protein unravels.

functions of proteins

enzymes, cells, hormones, antibodies, hemoglobin