Organic Compounds and Macromolecules

Organic Compounds

• Organic compounds are compounds that contain bonds between carbon atoms.
• Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds.
• Carbon can bond with other carbon atoms or other elements.
• Carbon atoms can bond and form straight chains, branched chains, or rings.
• Macromolecules are large molecules containing tens, hundreds, or thousands of carbon atoms.
• Polymers are large molecules formed by many smaller molecules called monomers bonded together.
• Polymerization involves linking smaller molecules to create larger ones.
• Condensation (dehydration) polymerization involves the release of a water molecule during monomer bonding.
• Hydrolysis involves breaking down polymers, splitting a water molecule, and separating monomers.

Four Macromolecules

• Four main macromolecules in living organisms are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a 1:2:1 ratio.
• They store and release energy.
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, single sugars like glucose, fructose, and galactose.
• Disaccharides are two monosaccharides linked together, such as sucrose (table sugar) and lactose.
• Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates, the largest carbohydrate molecules. Examples include:
  • Starch: Plant energy storage (e.g., potatoes).
  • Cellulose: Plant structural support (e.g., wood, paper).
  • Glycogen: Animal energy storage (e.g., broken down to glucose when blood sugar is low).

Lipids

• Lipids are organic compounds with a large proportion of carbon-hydrogen bonds. They are insoluble in water.
• Common lipids include fats, oils, and waxes, and steroids (chemical messengers).
• Lipids are used for long-term energy storage, insulation, membrane structure, and waterproof coverings.
• Lipids are composed of glycerol combined with fatty acids.
• Fatty acids are chains of carbon.
• Saturated fats have single bonds between carbon atoms, are solid at room temperature, and have high melting points (e.g., butter, steak fat).
• Unsaturated fats have at least one double bond between carbon atoms, are liquid at room temperature, and have low melting points (e.g., olive oil).
• Polyunsaturated fats have more than one double bond and are liquid at room temperature (e.g., cooking oils).

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids are complex macromolecules containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
• They are polymers made of monomers called nucleotides.
• Nucleotides consist of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
• Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the master copy of genetic information; determines how an organism looks and acts.
• RNA (ribonucleic acid) copies DNA for protein synthesis.

Proteins

• Proteins are large, complex polymers made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
• Proteins carry out cell metabolism.
• Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins.
• Amino acids have an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH) on opposite ends.
• The R-group (side chain) is different for each amino acid.
• There are 20 common amino acids.
• A peptide bond is a covalent bond between amino acids.
• The order of amino acids determines the protein's type.
• Proteins perform many functions such as:
  • Carrying out chemical reactions (enzymes).
  • Regulating cell processes.
  • Forming cell membranes.
  • Transporting molecules.
  • Fighting diseases (antibodies).
  • Forming structures (bones, muscles, hair, nails, horns, hooves).
  • Muscle contraction.
  • Oxygen transport in blood.
• Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions and playing crucial roles in various metabolic processes (digestion, synthesis, energy storage/release).
• Enzyme activity is affected by pH and temperature.

Explore the fascinating world of organic compounds and their relation to macromolecules. This quiz covers important concepts such as polymerization, macromolecule types, and the role of carbon in forming various structures. Test your understanding of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.