Carbon:
➔ Framework of biological molecules consists of primarily of carbon bonded to
◆ Carbon
◆ O,N,S,P, or H
➔ Can form up to four covalent bonds
➔ Hydrocarbons- molecule consisting only of carbon and hydrogen
◆ Nonpolar
Functional Groups:
➔ Hydroxyl: found in carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids
➔ Carbonyl: carbohydrates, nucleic acids
➔ Carboxyl: proteins, lipids
➔ Amino: proteins
Macromolecules:
➔ Polymer- built by linking monomers
➔ Monomer- small, similar chemical subunits
Assembly and Disassembly of Polymers:
➔ Dehydration synthesis
◆ Formation of large molecules by the removal of water
◆ Monomers are joined to form polymers
➔ Hydrolysis:
◆ Breakdown of large molecules by the addition of water
◆ Polymers are broken down to monomers
➔ Carbohydrates:
◆ Molecules with a 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
◆ Empirical formula (CH2O)n
➔ Monosaccharides:
◆ Simplest carbohydrate
◆ Sugars with six carbons play important roles
◆ Glucose
◆ Fructose
◆ Galactose
◆ Enzymes that act on different sugars can distinguish structural and stereoisomers of this
basic six carbon skeleton
➔ Disaccharides:
◆ Two monosaccharides linked together by dehydration synthesis
◆ Used for sugar transport or energy storage
◆ Examples: sucrose, lactose, maltose
➔ Polysaccharides:
◆ Long chains of monosaccharides
● Linked through dehydration synthesis
◆ Energy storage
● Plants use starch
● Animals use glycogen
◆ Structural support
➔ Framework of biological molecules consists of primarily of carbon bonded to
◆ Carbon
◆ O,N,S,P, or H
➔ Can form up to four covalent bonds
➔ Hydrocarbons- molecule consisting only of carbon and hydrogen
◆ Nonpolar
Functional Groups:
➔ Hydroxyl: found in carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids
➔ Carbonyl: carbohydrates, nucleic acids
➔ Carboxyl: proteins, lipids
➔ Amino: proteins
Macromolecules:
➔ Polymer- built by linking monomers
➔ Monomer- small, similar chemical subunits
Assembly and Disassembly of Polymers:
➔ Dehydration synthesis
◆ Formation of large molecules by the removal of water
◆ Monomers are joined to form polymers
➔ Hydrolysis:
◆ Breakdown of large molecules by the addition of water
◆ Polymers are broken down to monomers
➔ Carbohydrates:
◆ Molecules with a 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
◆ Empirical formula (CH2O)n
➔ Monosaccharides:
◆ Simplest carbohydrate
◆ Sugars with six carbons play important roles
◆ Glucose
◆ Fructose
◆ Galactose
◆ Enzymes that act on different sugars can distinguish structural and stereoisomers of this
basic six carbon skeleton
➔ Disaccharides:
◆ Two monosaccharides linked together by dehydration synthesis
◆ Used for sugar transport or energy storage
◆ Examples: sucrose, lactose, maltose
➔ Polysaccharides:
◆ Long chains of monosaccharides
● Linked through dehydration synthesis
◆ Energy storage
● Plants use starch
● Animals use glycogen
◆ Structural support
