What Makes Up A Cell? Biochemistry and Biochemical

Molecules

What is a cell made of?

• Almost all biological molecules contain at least one atom of the element of carbon.

• If a molecule contains carbon, it is called an organic molecule.

• Many carbon atoms could be bonded together to make larger carbon molecules.

Carbon Macromolecules

• Macromolecules are large molecules formed by joining smaller organic molecules together.

• There are 4 common macromolecules of the cell:

– Carbohydrates

– Lipids

– Proteins

– Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates • Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and

oxygen in a ratio of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms for each carbon atom – CH2O

• They provide a quick source of energy

• Types of Carbohydrates: – Monosaccharides

– Disaccharides

– Polysaccharides

Types of Carbohydrates

• Monosaccharides

– Simple sugars used for energy, usually with between 3-7 carbons in it in a ring formation

– Examples: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose

Types of Carbohydrates

• Disaccharides

– When 2 monosaccharides are bound together

– A sugary compound used for energy

– Examples: Sucrose, Lactose, Maltose

Types of Carbohydrates • Polysaccharides

– A longer chain of more than 2 sugar subunits

– Usually in the form of complex sugars or starch

– Used in long term energy storage

– Examples: Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen (stored energy for animals)

Lipids • Molecules made mostly of carbon and

hydrogen (with few oxygen than carbs)

• These molecules make up fats, oils, and waxes

• Used for long term energy storage

• Types of Lipids: – Saturated Fats

– Unsaturated Fats

– Phospholipids

– Steroids

Lipids – Saturated Fats • Have tail chains with only single bonds

between the carbon atoms

• On one end of the chain, there is a carbon double bonded to oxygen

• These are solid, animal fats

Here it is!!

Lipids – Unsaturated Fats

• Have at least one double bond between the carbon atoms in the tail chain

• These are liquid, plant based fats

Here it is!!

Other Lipids • Phospholipids

Proteins

• Compounds made of small carbon compounds called amino acids

• Used in structural parts of cells

• Amino Acids are made of: – Carbon

– Nitrogen

– Oxygen

– Hydrogen

– Sulfur (rarely)

Proteins • Amino acids have:

– A central carbon atom

– One of the four carbon bonds is with hydrogen

– The other three bonds are with a(n):

• Carboxyl group (COOH)

• Amino group (H3N)

• Variable group (R-group)

– There are 20 different amino acids

The 20 Amino Acids

Nucleic Acids

• Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information

– Made of smaller repeating subunits called nucleotides

Nucleic Acids • Nucleotides are made of:

– A phosphate group

– A sugar

– A nitrogen containing base (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, or uracil)