Biochemistry How are polymers make and broken? What are the four - - PDF document

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Biochemistry

Central Questions

• What is organic chemistry?
• What are monomers and polymers?
• How are polymers make and broken?
• What are the four macromolecule classes and

what are they like?

Types of Chemistry

• Inorganic—studies non-carbon based

compounds

• Organic—studies carbon based (organic)

compounds

• Biochemistry—specialized organic chemistry in

living things

Monomers and Polymers

• Monomers—small unit that can be joined with others

to make compounds ex. train cars, pearls

• Polymer—string of linked monomers ex. train,

necklace

• Large compounds that are important in biology are

polymers called macromolecules (macro=big!)

Making Polymers

• Dehydration Synthesis—reaction that makes polymers by

removing water Dehydration (removes water from the two monomers) Synthesis (puts the monomers together)

Breaking Polymers

• Hydrolysis—reaction that breaks polymers by adding

water Hydro-water (adds water) Lysis-cut (breaks monomers apart)

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Macromolecules

• Macromolecules (also called organic molecules)

are the major molecules that make up living things

• There are 4 main classes of macromolecules and

you must know them very well

Compound Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids Purpose: Quick energy Storing energy Many uses Hereditary information Made of: (monomer) Single sugars Glycerol and fatty acids Amino acids Nucleotides Examples: Sugar, starch, cellulose, chitin Fats, oils, waxes, steroids Muscles, hair, enzymes, etc. DNA, RNA

Carbohydrates (sugars)

• Monomer—monosaccharaide
• Polymer—polysaccharide
• Elements—C, H, O
• Function—quick energy
• Examples—cellulose, glucose, starch & chitin

All words that end in –ose are sugars!!

Lipids (fats and oils)

• Monomer—glycerol and 3 fatty acids
• Elements—C, H, O
• Function—long term energy storage & insulation
• Examples—fats, oils and waxes
• Does NOT dissolve in water!!

Proteins (polypeptides)

• Monomer—amino acids
• Polymer—protein
• Elements—C,H,O & N
• Function—regulate chemical reactions, cell

transport

• Examples—enzymes and hormones

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer—nucleotide (base, sugar and phosphate)
• Polymer—nucleic acid
• Elements—C,H,O,P,N
• Function—storing & transmitting genetic info
• Example—DNA and RNA

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Central Questions

• What is organic chemistry?
• What are monomers and polymers?
• How are polymers make and broken?
• What are the four macromolecule classes and

what are they like?