Macromolecules

1. Macromolecules Kaitlin Doughty, Period 2

2. Carbohydrates • contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; 2 hydrogen atoms to 1 oxygen atom • Building blocks are Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides. • Monosaccharides(one sugar) or simple sugars containing 3 to 7 carbon atoms • Glucose is blood sugar which is the universal cellular fuel • Fructose/ Galactose – are converted to glucose for the body cells to use • Ribose/ Deoxyribose – form part of the nucleic acids • Disaccharides (double sugars) are created when two simple sugars combine during a reaction process called, which is when a water molecule is lost in the bond formation • Sucrose (glucose-fructose) which is found in cane sugar • Lactose (glucose-galactose)which is found in milk • Maltose (glucose-glucose) which is know as malt sugar • Polysaccharides – long branching chains of linked simple sugars “many sugars” used as storage products. • Starch – storage polysaccharides formed by plants ingested by humans • Glycogen –smaller but similar starch but found in animal tissues and formed by linked glucose units like starch • Carbohydrates provide a ready and easily used source of food energy for cells and glucose is mostly what they want as fuel. They provide the body with food fuel for exercise and carry out daily activities

3. Carbohydrates examples Examples of Carbohydrates: Milk, potatoes and carrots, meat such as livers, and certain sugars

4. Proteins • Account for 50% of the organic matter in the body • Contain carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur • Amino Acids are the building blocks of all proteins • Fibrous proteins aka structural proteins appear most often in body structures. They provide strength to the tissues. • Globular proteins are mobile and play a crucial role in virtually all biological processes. Also known as, functional proteins. • Antibodies – function in the immune response and bacteria, toxins and viruses • Hormones – regulate growth and development • Catalysts – increases the rates of chemical reactions

5. Lipids • Main lipids are Triglycerides, Phospholipids and steroids • Most lipids are insoluble in water but readily dissolve in other lipids and organic solvents in for example Alcohol • Triglycerides - aka neutral fats are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. (3 fatty acids to 1 glycerol) • Fatty acid chains with only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms are know as saturated • Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms are said to be unsaturated • Trans fats - are oils that have been solidified by addition of hydrogen atoms by addition of hydrogen atoms at sites of double carbon bonds. • Omega-3 fatty acids, decrease the risk of heart disease and some inflammatory diseases. • Phospholipids – two fatty acids and one glycerol make up one molecule • Steroids – molecules made largely of hydrogen and carbon atoms and fat-soluble • Cholesterol – found in animal products and is one of the most important steroid molecule

6. Nucleic Acids • Role of a nucleic acid is to make up the genes of the body • Building blocks of a nucleic acid are nucleotides which are very complex • Deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material found within the cell nucleus. It replicated its self exactly before a cell divides and it provides the instructions for building every protein in the body. • Ribonucleic acid carries out the orders for protein synthesis issued by DNA. • Adenosine Triphosphate – provides a form of chemical energy that is usable by all body cells • Adenosine diphosphate accumulates and ATP supplies are replenished by oxidation of food fuels.