BIOL 170: The Molecules of Life

Page 2: Organic Molecules

• Definition

  • Large organic molecules made of monomer subunits

• Types of Organic Molecules Found in Living Organisms

  • Monosaccharides

  • Amino Acids

  • Fatty Acids

  • Nucleotides

• Biological Macromolecules

  • Polysaccharides

  • Proteins

  • Lipids (Fats/Oils)

  • Nucleic Acids

• Polymerization Process

  • Molecules can polymerize through condensation/dehydration

• Carbohydrates

  • Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

  • Functions:

    1. Energy storage & transport

    2. Structural support

    3. Cellular identity

• Monosaccharides and Disaccharides

  • Disaccharides formed by dehydration of two monosaccharides

  • Monosaccharides: monomers with 3 to 7 carbons

Page 3: Oligo- & Polysaccharides

• Definition

  • Oligosaccharides: <12 monosaccharides

  • Polysaccharides: >12 monosaccharides

• Examples of Polysaccharides

  • Starch (plants): energy storage

  • Glycogen (animals): energy storage

  • Cellulose (plants): indigestible, structural support

Page 4: Proteins

• Definition

  • Molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen

  • Composed of amino acids (20 different types)

• Amino Acids

  • Joined by peptide bonds

  • Different combinations yield different peptides/proteins

Page 5: Amino Acids Classification

• Electrically Charged Amino Acids

  • Attract water and other charged ions

• Polar Uncharged Amino Acids

  • Hydrophilic: interact with water and polar compounds

• Nonpolar Amino Acids

  • Hydrophobic: cluster inside a protein

• Protein Structure

  • Peptide bond formation between carboxyl end of one amino acid and amino end of another

  • Polypeptide: 3–100 amino acids

  • Protein: longer than 100 amino acids, complex structure and function

Page 6: Protein Structure and Function

• Protein Structure Levels

  • Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary structures

• Enzymes

  • Proteins that catalyze reactions

  • Commonly end in -ase (e.g., Amylase)

  • Function based on enzyme shape and active site

• Protein Folding

  • Heat Shock chaperones assist in proper folding

• Visual Representation of Proteins

  • Ribbon diagrams and space-filling models illustrate 3-D structure