Organic Molecule Notes
An Organic Molecule ( AKA BioMolecule or
MacroMolecule) is one that is found in or used to build living
systems.
(*This is DIFFERENT than the term “Organic Foods”- those are
foods that have not been genetically modified, grown in
chemical fertilizer or have had insecticides spayed on them!)
All organic compound are based on these 4 elements
Hydrogen
Oxygen Nitrogen
Carbon
HONC!!!
H O N C- 96% of our body is made up of these 4
elements
All organic molecules contain Carbon as it’s “backbone”
Because of Carbons unique ability to be able to bond with up
to 4 different elements at 1 time! This is based on its’ valence
electron configuration (4 electrons in outer shell 4/8)!
There are 4 main types of Organic Molecules
(CLAP)
1234-
Carbohydrates
Lipids (fats, oils & waxes)
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
CARBOHYDRATES
Are found in breads, pasta, honey, rice, sweets,
milk and fruit (most deriving from plants)
It’s main function is to provide quick energy for
living systems
*The term -saccharide means sugar
*and the suffix –ose means sugar
Carbs contain C, H, O in a ratio of 1:2:1
Ex- C6H12O6
Usually carbs are in a “ring” structure
The MONOMER mono= 1 mer= part-of Carbs is the
monosaccharide aka simple sugar
There are 3 main monosaccharides (M/S)
*1-Glucose- a simple sugar found in our blood (C6H12O6) ShapeHexose
*2-Fructose- sugar found in fruits/honey (C6H12O6)
Shape-pentose
4-Deoxyribose – found in DNA (pentose)
5-Ribose- found in RNA (pentose)
*ISOMER- iso= equal mer= parts -compounds with the
same chemical formulae but different shapes
M/S combine to make Disaccharides (2 Sugars) D/S
Sucrose (table sugar)= GLUCOSE + FRUCTOSE
Maltose= GLUCOSE + GLUCOSE
Lactose- GLUCOSE +
(milk)
When you combine more than 3 monosaccharides- they
make a Polysaccharide P/S or (Complex Sugars)
STARCH- main molecule to store E in plants (potatoes /
rice/bread/pastas)Cellulose/FIBER- found in the cells of plants and gives
wood its strength- fiber used to help regulate bowel
movements *Notice the wall like structure of Cellulosegreat for protection!
Glycogen- secondary energy storage after body fatfound in liver and muscles
2-LIPIDS
The lipids are large organic compounds such as fats, waxes and oils.
They are generally insoluble (won’t break down) in water!
They have a H to O ratio of much higher than 2:1 (maybe 10:1)
 The main purpose of lipids is to store energy.
 Other very important functions include:
o protection for organs
o lubrication
o helps dissolve vitamins
o transportation of some molecules through the blood
o cell membrane structure
A fatty acid (FA) is basically the monomer of lipids. It
consists of many carbons chained together
There are Two types of FA’s ;
1-Saturated, (full) indicates that the carbon has
as many hydrogens as possible bonded to their
carbons. These are solid at room temperature
and come from animals ex- bacon fat/ butter.
2-Unsaturated, (not full) indicates that hydrogens could be
added to the carbon chain. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room
temperature and come from plants or marine animals exvegetable oil. Peanut oil ex- fish oil
Phospholipids
PL’s have 2 fatty acid “tails” that
fear water (hydrophobic) and a
water loving “Head”(hydrophyllic).
PL’s are used in cells.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides (TG) are Energystorage molecules. They are formed
by connecting three FA’s to the red
part of the molecule on the left,
Glycerol.
The flabby stuff most of us have on our
bodies is cells filled with triglycerides. In
TG’s, a fatty acid is joined to each of the
three Carbons of Glycerol .Fat has a lot of
calories.
*Trans fats- worst of the lipids- man made fats by
taking unsaturated fats & adding H TO THEMMAKING THEM SATURATED
Cholesterol- (in yellow) a type of lipid used for cell
membrane health/activity. Usually found in between
the phospholipids.
PROTEINS
Proteins
Proteins are about 50% of our cells, and are the most
complex molecules known. Each type of protein has its
own unique structure and function.
The main functions of proteins are to build
tissues/muscles in the body.
The monomers of Proteins are AMINO ACIDS!!!
Each amino acid contains an "amino" group, (NH2) and a
"carboxyl" group (COOH). There are 20 different types of AAeach with a different “R” Group.
These AMINO ACIDS are bonded together by PEPETIDE
BONDS- so a protein is AKA a POLYPEPTIDE
Probably the most important type of proteins are Enzymesbiological catalysts – they speed up or slow down chemical
reactions
Food that contain lots of protein;
BEEF, Chicken, Pork, Fish, eggs *If it had a mother- it is
protein
4-Nucleic Acids
The main function of Nucleic Acids is to store Genetic
information
WE WILL COVER THESE IN DETAIL IN Qtr. 3- GENETICS
The monomer of a NA is the Nucleotide which makes up long
chains of DNA
This is made of 3 parts1-A pentose (5 sided) sugar
2-A nitrogenous base
3-A phosphate group
There are 2 types of NA’s
1- DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid- the main molecule that stores
genetic information in genes found in the cell
2- RNA- Ribonucleic acid- a secondary gene storing molecule
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