Organic ChemistryMolecules made up of

carbon and hydrogen are called organic compounds.

Oxygen and Nitrogen are common atoms found in organic compounds as well.

In many molecules, atoms are arranged in special clusters called functional groups.

Common Functional Groups

MacromoleculesA macromolecule is a

large molecule made up of smaller subunits often with many functional groups.

The four major groups of macromolecules are: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

CarbohydratesContain carbon,

hydrogen and oxygen.Used mostly for

energy.Produced by plants in

photosynthesis.Broken down into

energy by animals in cellular respiration.

CarbohydratesMonosaccharides are

“simple sugars” and have a sweet taste. The most common one is glucose C6H12O6.

Disaccharides occur when two monosaccharides join together (i.e. glucose + fructose = sucrose, which is table sugar).

CarbohydratesLong chains of simple

sugars combine to form polysaccharides.

These are called “complex carbohydrates”.

They are used for energy storage like starch in plants and glycogen in animals OR used for structural support like cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in insect exoskeletons (contact lenses and stitches as well).

Good Sources of Carbohydrates

LipidsMade up of C, H and O

as well, but with more H.

They store more energy than carbohydrates, but harder to get the energy out of.

Four classes of lipids: oils and fats, waxes, phospholipids and steroids.

Fats and OilsEach of these is known as a triglyceride, contain

three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule.

Fats and OilsIf the fatty acids are straight, they are known

as saturated fatty acids and the substance is a fat (i.e. lard, butter, animal fat).

• Can lead to coronary artery disease if over eaten.

Fats and OilsIf they are bent, they are called unsaturated

fatty acids and the substance is an oil (peanut oil, canola oil, plant oils).

PhospholipidsMain component of cell

membranes.Head part is

hydrophilic (loves water) while tail is hydrophobic (hates water).

They are like fats and oils, but have a phosphate group instead of one of the fatty acids.

Steroids

Made up of four fused carbon rings.

All are derivatives of cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a big reason cell membranes are flexible and fluid.

All our sex hormones are natural steroids.

WaxesThey are used by animals and plants

as waterproofing agents.Basically they are steroids with long

side chains coming off of them.Examples: beeswax, cutin on leaves…

Good Sources of Lipids

ProteinsMost diverse and

important molecules in living organisms.

Made up of small subunits called amino acids that are held together by peptide bonds.

Protein making is called protein synthesis and happens on ribosomes.

ProteinsEnzymes are special proteins that are used to

speed up chemical reactions without getting used up themselves.

If an enzyme loses its shape, it is said to be denatured and does not work anymore.

This happens if the temperature or pH changes.

Good Sources of Protein

Nucleic AcidsMade up of nucleotides

that contain a sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogen base.

The two main nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.

DNA contains hereditary information, whereas RNA is used in protein making.

Nucleic Acids

DNA has one of four nitrogen bases in its nucleotides, Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine and Guanine.

It is a double-stranded molecule where A binds to T and C binds to G.

RNA is a single strand and has Uracil instead of Thymine.

Homework1) Where in your digestive system would the

macromolecules we have discussed be broken down?

2) What other things do we need in our diets besides the macromolecules discussed today?

3) From Austin Powers, Fat Bastard says he went on the Atkins Diet in which “Carbs are the enemy”! Is this a safe thing to do, eliminate carbohydrates? Why or why not?