Biological Macromolecules and Carbon Chemistry

Study Notes

Biological Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, built from smaller organic molecules.
Four major classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
They are the primary components of cells and perform various functions.
Make up the majority of a cell's mass.
Contain carbon and can contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and minor elements.

Carbon's Importance

Carbon is the "foundation" element for molecules in living things.
Carbon forms four covalent bonds with other atoms or molecules due to the presence of four electrons in its outer shell.

Carbon Bonding

Methane (CH4) is the simplest organic carbon molecule with four hydrogen atoms bound to a carbon atom.
Carbon can form long and branching chains by bonding with other carbon atoms.
Carbon can bond with nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus atoms, creating a variety of molecular structures.
Carbon can form rings that can link with other rings.
The diversity of carbon bonding allows for the diversity of biological macromolecule functions.

Carbohydrates

Essential part of our diet, providing energy to the body.
Sources: grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Formula: (CH2O)n, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
Ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1.

Carbohydrate Subtypes

Monosaccharides: simple sugars, the most common being glucose.
Contain 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
Most end with the suffix "-ose".
Examples:
- Trioses: three carbon atoms.
- Pentoses: five carbon atoms.
- Hexoses: six carbon atoms.
Monosaccharides can exist as linear chains or ring-shaped molecules.
In aqueous solutions, they are usually found in the ring form.

Glucose

Chemical formula: C6H12O6.
Important source of energy in most living species.
During cellular respiration, energy is released from glucose and used to create ATP.
Plants synthesize glucose using carbon dioxide and water through photosynthesis.
Excess glucose is stored as starch.

Other Monosaccharides

Galactose: part of lactose, or milk sugar.
Fructose: found in fruit.
Although they have the same chemical formula (C6H12O6), they are isomers with different arrangements of atoms.

Description

Explore the fundamentals of biological macromolecules essential for life, focusing on their types and functions. Delve into carbon's unique properties and its crucial role in creating diverse organic compounds. This quiz covers the importance of carbon bonding in biological systems.