Biological Molecules

Macromolecules

giant molecules formed of thousands of atoms.

Carbohydrates

The most abundant group of organic compounds in earth.

Sugars, starches, and cellulose are carbohydrates

Cellulose= main structural component of the walls that surround the plant cells

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars

Contain from 3 to 7 carbon atoms

Aldehyde: carbonyl group at the end of the chain

Ketone: carbonyl group at any other position.

Glucose : The most abundant monosaccharides.

B-glucose is when the hydroxyl is one the same side as the CH2OH

A-glucose is when the -OH is on the opposite plane/site.

Disachardies

Sugars the have 2 monosaccharides.

Can be hydrolyzed

Polysaccharides

Macromolecule consisting of repeating units of simple sugars.

The most abundant carbohydrates

•Includes:

1.Starches

2.Glycogen

3.Cellulose

Polysaccharides: Starch

• Used for energy storage in plants.

• Polymer consisting of alpha-glucose subunits

• Occurs in two forms:

1.Amylose: simpler form. Unbranched , where plants cells store starch as granules.

2.Amylopectin: common form. 1000 glucose units in branched chain.

Polysaccharides: Glycogen

Referred to as animal starch

•The form in which glucose subunits are stored as an energy source in animal tissues.

•Similar in structure to plant starch, but more water-soluble.

•Glycogen is stored mainly in

1.Liver

2.Muscle cells

Polysaccharides: Cellulose

The most abundant carbohydrate.

•Account for 50% or more of all the carbon in plants.

•Structural carbohydrate- Un-branched.

•Insoluble polysaccharide

Polysaccharides: Cellulose

•Wood: 50% cellulose

•Cotton: 90% cellulose

•Plant cell walls: consist mainly of cellulose

Glycoproteins

combination of carbohydrates and proteins