Molecules of Life
The concept of DNA has been stressed in your science classes. While DNA is essential as it is the genetic code for life, there are many organisms that help DNA carry out its functions. These organisms include macromolecules: Lipids, nucleotides, Proteins, and Carbohydrates.
- Carbs are the sugars that provide energy. There are simple sugars that are called monosaccharides and complex ones that are called polysaccharides.
- Lipids are fatty acids that are hydrophobic – water hating
- Nucleotides – four chemical bases, sugar, and a phosphoric acid. DNA and RNA
- RNA is the same but just a different base and ribose base
- Proteins – are made of amino acids, they are polymers so they are built from monomers
- Monomers are amino acids and the polymers are polypeptides. Proteins have specific structure to go along with the specific function. All of these are the building blocks of life
Pronunciation Key and Vocabulary List
Monosaccharides– ( mon-uh-sak-uh-rahyd, -er-id) smallest form of carbs
Polysaccharides– (pol-ee-sak-uh-rahyd) polymer to monosaccharides
DNA– (Dee-N- A) genetic code to life
RNA– (R-N-A) messenger to carrying DNA
Polypeptides– (pol-ee-pep-tahyd) amino acids bonding together
Polymers– (pol-uh-me)r monosaccharides bonding together
Carbohydrates– Simple sugars
Handout
Strengthen your understanding about molecules and have fun with this handout. Follow the instructions and connect the dots to reveal the molecule it represents. Which image from this site does the handout molecule look like?