Formed by Polymerization- the Building of Large Compounds by Joining Smaller Ones Together

Biomolecules

Macromolecules are large molecules made from thousands or even hundreds of thousands of smaller molecules.

·  Formed by polymerization- the building of large compounds by joining smaller ones together.

·  Monomers- the smaller compounds.

·  Polymers- the larger compounds.

·  Four groups or macromolecules or organic compounds are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

·  Also called biomolecules & macronutrients

Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms.

·  Monosaccharides- single sugar molecules. Examples: glucose and galactose-found in milk, fructose-found in fruits.

·  Disaccarides – double sugar molecules. Examples: sucrose

·  Polysaccharides- large sugars formed from monosaccharides (many monosaccarides put together). Examples: glycogen-sugar storage molecule in animals, cellulose-structural support in plants.

·  Importance:

o  Living things use it as the main energy source.

o  Help body remove fats

o  Reduces blood cholesterol & sugar

·  Food Sources:

o  Grains, breads, cereals, pastas, fruits & veggies

Lipids are made mostly from carbon (C), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) atoms.

·  Generally not soluble in water.

·  Also called fats

·  Consist of fats, oils and waxes, also steroids.

·  Importance:

o  Used to store energy

o  Transport vitamins

o  Important parts of biological membranes

o  Thermal protection

o  Waterproof coverings (EX: Ear Wax)

·  Food Sources:

o  Oils (corn, peanut, canola), cheese, whole milk, meat

Proteins are made up of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

·  Formed from monomers called amino acids.

·  Amino acids- compounds with an amino group (-NH2) on one end and a carboxyl group (-COOH) on the other end with a side chain called an “R-group”

·  Importance:

o  Control the rate of reactions (Enzymes)

o  Growth & repair body tissues (EX: muscles, bones, & blood)

o  Transport substance in & out of cells

o  Create antibodies to help fight disease

·  Too much Protein:

o  Inhibits muscle growth

o  Weakens bones

o  Damages kidneys

·  Food Sources: meats, seeds, beans, & dairy products

Nucleic Acids are made up of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus.

·  Formed from monomers called nucleotides.

·  Nucleotides- made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

·  Store and transmit hereditary or genetic information.

·  RNA-ribonucleic acid, contains the sugar ribose.

·  DNA-deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the sugar deoxyribose.