Macromolecules

Building Complex Molecules That Comprise Living Things

Comparison of Terms

Molecule

Two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds Macromolecule Large polymer made of repeating monomer units Four types of organic macromolecules are important in living systems.

Macromolecules: Polymers Made of Repeating Monomers

Macromolecule Monomer Unit Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids
Sugars Fatty acids Amino acids Nucleotides

Organic Macromolecules Contain Carbon

Question: How many electrons does carbon need to fill its outer energy level? Answer: Four
Each carbon atom can make four covalent bonds with other types of atoms or additional carbons.

Carbohydrates: Functions
Energy source Structural component Cell-cell communication

Carbohydrates: Dietary Recommendations

58% of calories from carbohydrates No more than 10% of calories from simple, refined sugars Emphasize Complex Carbohydrates
Starch Fiber (cellulose)

Naturally-occurring simple carbohydrates

Fructose from fruit Lactose from milk

Macronutrients As Energy Sources

Macromolecules: Polymers Made of Repeating Monomers

Macromolecule
Lipids (fats, oils, waxes)

Monomer Unit
Fatty acids

Lipids: Structure
Triglyceridepredominant form in diet
One molecule of glycerol Three fatty acids

Lipids: Structure
Types of Fatty Acids
Saturated 2H per internal carbon

Unsaturated -- <2H per internal carbon one or more double bonds

Monounsaturated one double bond

Polyunsaturated more than one double bond

Lipids: Structure
Phospholipidcomponent of cell membranes

Polar Head

Glycerol

Fatty Acid Tails

Hydrophilic

Hydrophobic

Lipids: Functions
Concentrated energy source Structural components of cell membranes
Phospholipids Cholesterol

Communication
Steroid Hormones

Protection from water

Waxes
Cholesterol Phospholipids

Lipids: Dietary Recommendations

< 30% of calories from lipids < 10% of calories from saturated fats Limit cholesterol to 300 mg/day Avoid trans fatty acids in partially hydrogenated products Emphasize Unsaturated fatty acids from vegetables, fish, legumes, and nuts Oils: mono- or polyunsaturated

Macronutrients As Energy Sources

Macromolecules: Polymers Made of Repeating Monomers

Macromolecule Monomer Unit

Protein
Amino acids

Proteins: Structure
Primary structure = chain of amino acids
Amino acids have common features

Amino Group

Carboxylic Acid Group

R
Alpha Carbon The R Group Differs for Each Amino Acid

Hair Curling
Straight Hair
| S S |
|

Naturally Curly Hair

| S

| S S |
|

| S
| S S |

S |

S |

Proteins: Functions
Structural Component of Cells Control of Metabolic Reactions: enzymes Structure & support, bone & muscle Communication
Protein Hormones Cell Receptors

Energy source
Protein Protein

Proteins: Dietary Recommendations

12% of calories from proteins 8 essential amino acids obtained from Lean sources of animal protein Complementary plant proteins
Beans + Grains Beans + Seeds

Nucleic Acid: Functions

Biological molecules essential for known forms of life on Earth. They include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Together with proteins, nucleic acids are the most important biological macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information.

Nucleic Acid: Functions