Organic Molecules Pre-Reading Purpose: What does our body do with the food we eat? You are what you eat. Does this mean that if you only eat celery you will turn into a vegetable? Of course not, but your body uses the energy and elements of the food you eat to build the molecules your body needs for survival. Almost all of the food we eat comes from plants and animals. Plants and animals contain mainly water and organic molecules​
, which are CARBON containing molecules made by living organisms. We focus on four types of organic molecules called macromolecules, which are just that, large molecules. Our bodies break down the macromolecules in the foods we eat into smaller parts. The smaller units are called ​
monomers (building blocks)​
. When we put many monomers together they form a polymer. For example, think of a train. The whole train is a polymer made up of many repeating units, the train cars. The train cars would be the building blocks, or monomers. Macromolecules are polymers made up of monomers. Each macromolecule has a specific shape and function within your body to help you live. In essence, you are what you eat because your body breaks down the macromolecules in the foods you eat and then uses them to build new molecules that either become part of your cells (you are constantly making new cells to replace old, worn­out, or injured cells) or are used for cellular respiration to make ATP (usable energy). Let’s think about what you already know about these macromolecules. Brainstorm what foods you can get these from and what they do in your body! Write down anything else you know about each macromolecule. CARBOHYDRATES PROTEINS LIPIDS NUCLEIC ACIDS