Organic molecules in living organisms are made up of four main types: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates include sugars and starches, proteins include enzymes and antibodies, lipids include fats, and nucleic acids include DNA and RNA. All life on Earth is made of these organic molecules, which contain carbon as a basic building block. Carbon is uniquely able to form four bonds with other atoms, allowing it to link to other carbons and create a diverse array of carbon skeletons essential for life.

1. Organic molecules
(Biological molecules)
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids
and nucleic acids

2. Living organisms on Earth are made of
primarily water and molecules
containing carbon

3. Vocab word
Definition
1. Organic Molecules that
contain carbon.
molecules
All life on Earth is
organic – we all
contain carbon
Picture

4. What’s so special about
Carbon?
Carbon is a versatile atom
– It has four electrons in an outer shell that
holds eight
– Carbon can share its electrons with other
atoms to form up to four covalent bonds

5. What’s so special about
Carbon?
Carbon can use its bonds to
– Attach to other carbons
– Form an endless diversity of carbon
skeletons

6. Four Basic Types of Organic
Molecule
1. carbohydrates (sugars and starches)
2. lipids (fats)
3. Proteins (enzymes and antibodies)
4. nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
– Because they are large, these
molecules are called macromolecules.

7. Carbohydrate:
Contains:
2. Carbohydrates Carbon
(sugars and
Hydrogen
starches –
Oxygen
“saccharides”
)
Functions:
•used for energy
•Stores energy
•Forms body structures
Examples: breads,
pastas, starches, fruit

8. There are three types of
carbohydrates!
1. Monosaccharides
2. Disaccharides
3. Polysaccharides

9. 3 types of Carbohydrates
3.
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars
- glucose (soft drinks)
- fructose (fruit)
One strand of carbon
and hydrogen

10. 3 types of Carbohydrates
4. Disaccharides
Two monosaccharides
linked together
Di – means 2
Sucrose – table sugar
Most common type of
carbohydrate

11. 3 types of Carbohydrates
5.
Polysaccharides
(complex
carbohydrates)
Many saccharides
linked together
Very big
Starches and
cellulose (plant
sugars) wood

12. Lipids!
6. Lipids - fats
Contains:
Carbon
Hydrogen
oxygen
Functions:
• Stores energy (more
energy than
carbohydrates)
• Forms cell
membranes
• Carries messages
(nerves)
Examples:
fats and oils

13. Common types of lipids:
7. Phospholipids
the main component of
cell membranes

14. Common types of lipids:
8. Steroids
hydrocarbons with the
carbon atoms arranged
in a set of 4 linked
rings.
Examples: cholesterol,
steroid hormones,
waxes

15. Proteins:
9. Proteins
Contains:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen and sulfur
Functions:
•Helps cells keep their shape
•Makes up muscles
•speeds up chemical
reactions
•Carries messages and
materials
Examples: enzymes,
antibodies, amino acids

16. Types of proteins:
subunits of proteins,
10. Amino Acids
There are 20 different kinds
of amino acids in proteins.

17. Proteins:
11. Enzymes
all metabolic transformations,
building up, rearranging, and
breaking down of organic
compounds, are done by
enzymes, which are proteins.

18. Nucleic Acids:
12. Nucleic Acids
Contains:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus and nitrogen
Functions:
•Contains instructions for
proteins
•Passes instructions from
parent to offspring
•Helps make proteins
Examples: DNA
RNA

19. Two types of nucleic Acids:
13. DNA
Contains: four bases
adenine, guanine, thymine,
and cytosine.
The order of these bases in
a chain of DNA determines
the genetic information.
DNA consists of 2
complementary chains
twisted into a double helix
and held together by
hydrogen bonds.

20. Two types of nucleic Acids:
14. RNA
Contains: RNA consists of
a single chain that also
uses 4 bases:
however, the thymine in
DNA is replaced by uracil in
RNA.
RNA is much less stable
than DNA, but it can act as
an enzyme to promote
chemical reactions in some
situations.

21. Exit slip
1. List and give and example of the four
types of organic molecules.
2. What is carbon and why is it important for
life on Earth?