Biological Molecules & Carbohydrates

biomolecules

biomolecules

organic molecules or macromolecules; different structures and substances that perform specific functions in the cell

• carbon

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• phosphorus

• sulfur

• hydrogen

chemicals in all organisms

• fuel for metabolism

• chemical composition and quantity are important for cellular activities

• naturally occurring organisms

roles of biomolecules

carbohydrates

most abundant of organic compounds

1:2:1

ratio of carbon-hydrogen-oxygen in carbohydrate

• chief energy source of living organism

• backbone of DNA and RNA

• storage of chemical energy

• forms structural component of living cells

roles of carbohydrates

monosaccharide

simple sugar with only one sugar unit; building blocks for more complex sugar forms

C6H12O6

stoichiometric formula of monosaccharide

glucose (blood sugar)

fuels brain, liver, pancreas, pituitary and adrenal glands; source of energy because it dissolves in water, passes through cell membrane

galactose (milk sugar)

isomer of glucose, found in milk and dairy products

fructose (fruit sugar)

isomer of glucose, found in fruits and crops, sweetest naturally occurring carbohydrate

disaccaride

consist of 2 monosaccharides, covalent bonds formed between two monosaccharides by dehydration synthesis

glycosidic linkage

bond between 2 monosaccharidde

C12H22O11

stoichiometric formula of disaccaride

dehydration synthesis

chemical reaction where two smaller molecules are joined by removing water

hydrolysis

breaking down disaccharide molecules by adding water. disaccharide must be broken down into monosaccharide to be used as energy

sucrose (table sugar)

glucose + fructose

used in food and drink

lactose (milk sugar)

glucose + galactose

found in dairy products

maltose (malt sugar)

glucose + glucose

used in beer and alcoholic drinks

oligosaccharide

complex form of carbohydrates

3-20 sugar units

polysaccharide

more than 20 sugar units

complex

starch

major source of energy for plants

amylose

linear polysaccharide

amylopectin

branched polysaccharide

amylase

animals easily digests because of this

glycogen

major source of energy for animals

more sugar units than starch

found in liver and muscles, source of reserve energy

cellulose

insoluble carbohydrate, abundant in outer wall of plant cells

appear in fiber and paper

cellulase

microorganisms found in gut of insects can break down cellulose because of this

chitin

found in outer coverings of insects and crustaceans which functions for support and protection