This document discusses macromolecules and their structure and function. It outlines the four major classes of macromolecules - carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It explains that organic molecules contain carbon and are associated with living systems, while inorganic molecules do not contain carbon and are associated with nonliving matter. The document discusses carbon atoms and their ability to form chains and rings, as well as isomers and important functional groups that determine molecular polarity and reactivity.

1. Carbon based Life
&
The Structure and
Function of
Macromolecules
Chapter 4-5

2. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
2
Outline
Organic vs Inorganic
Functional Groups and Isomers
Macromolecules – 4 major classes:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
-recall: small vs lrg, ionic vs covalent
Ex: amino, carboxyl:
- Think, “starchy foods and sugars”
- Think, “fatty foods and oils”
- Think, “meat and beans (legumes)”
- Think, “genes, herdity, nucleus, cell regulation”

3. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
3
Organic Molecules
Inorganic – Chemistry of elements other than carbon
Organic – Carbon-based chemistry
Usually associated
living systems
Often associated with
nonliving matter
Often quite large, with
many atoms
Always with
few atoms
Always
covalent bonding
Usually
ionic bonding
Always contain
carbon and hydrogen
Usually with
+ & - ions
OrganicInorganic
Examples:
NaCl – sodium
chloride
SiO2 –
silicondioxide
NaHCO3 –sodium
bicarbonate
Examples:
C6H12O6 –
glucose
C8H18 - octane

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4
Carbon Atom
Carbon atoms:
Contain a total of 6 electrons
Only four electrons in the outer shell
Very diverse as one atom can bond with up to
four other atoms
Often bonds with other carbon atoms to make
hydrocarbons
Can produce carbon chains like propane,
butane, octane – may be linear or branched
Can produce ring forms like cyclohexane
- The core of “carbon based life forms”

5. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
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Fig. 4.5 p61

6. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
6Isomers
A. Structural Isomers
Isomers - organic molecules that have:
Identical molecular formulas, but
Differing internal arrangement of atoms
C5H12 C5H12

7. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
7Isomers
B. Geometrical Isomers = Enantiomer

8. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
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Functional Groups and Isomers
Functional groups:
Specific combinations of bonded atoms
Attached as a group to other molecules
-Always react in the same manner, regardless of
where attached
-Determine activity and polarity of large organic
molecules
Many functional groups, but only a few are of
major biological importance

9. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
9
Fig. 4.9 p65

10. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
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11. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
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12. MacromoleculesChapter 4-5
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Polar; some sugars
Example: Acetone
Polar, forms H-bonds; some sugars
and amino acids Example: EthanolR OH
R
H
C
O
R RC
O
R
OH
C
O
R
H
N H
R SH
Biologically Important
Functional Groups (Text. P. 63)
Thiols
Phosphate
AminesAmino
Carboxylic
AcidsCarboxyl
Ketones
Aldehydes
Carbonyl
AlcoholsHydroxyl
CompoundStructureGroup
Sulfhydryl
R RP
O
OH
Organic
Phosphates
Significance
Polar; some sugars
Example: Formaldehyde
Polar, acidic; fats and amino acids
Example: Acetic acid
Polar, basic; amino acids
Example: Tryptophan
Disulfide Bonds; some amino acids
Example: Ethanethiol
Polar, acidic; some amino acids,
Nucleic Acids
Example: Adenosine triphosphate