Macromolecules - So What Did You Have for Lunch?
Food is awesome!
But what does that have to do with Biology?
EVERYTHING!!!!
We depend on macromolecules for life and they are ALL around us!
Here is a brief overview of these essential molecules and how they help us survive...
EVERYTHING!!!!
We depend on macromolecules for life and they are ALL around us!
Here is a brief overview of these essential molecules and how they help us survive...
Carbohydrates, Protein, Lipids and Nucleic Acids...
Food Guide Pyramid - The Basics
Ok - So we eat food and our body breaks it down. How? Why?
Basics of Carbohydrates -
Carbohydrates are the simplest form of energy for us - they are found in various forms...
Most people look at carbs as a "bad" thing since they have had such a reputation for making people gain weight. Carbs are any form of quick energy from our food - they always have a plant as a basic building block. ANY type of plant is a carb. The carbohydrate is how the cellular structure is formed in the plant cell. Broccoli, potatoes, grapes, apples, oranges - they are ALL carbs. Bread is a carb too but it is put together a little differently. Carbs have the quickest energy because they are the easiest for our bodies to break down from a molecular structure. If you look at the structure below of carbohydrates, you can see how they have single bonds between each molecule.
Most people look at carbs as a "bad" thing since they have had such a reputation for making people gain weight. Carbs are any form of quick energy from our food - they always have a plant as a basic building block. ANY type of plant is a carb. The carbohydrate is how the cellular structure is formed in the plant cell. Broccoli, potatoes, grapes, apples, oranges - they are ALL carbs. Bread is a carb too but it is put together a little differently. Carbs have the quickest energy because they are the easiest for our bodies to break down from a molecular structure. If you look at the structure below of carbohydrates, you can see how they have single bonds between each molecule.
Carbs are quick energy that come from simple sugars. The chains get longer and more complex and then change names -
Starch is chains of glucose all linked together. Think potato. Or bread.
Plants store glucose as cellulose which is their basic structure.
Animals store their glucose as glycogen.
Carbohydrates all have one thing in common - SUGAR!!!! (Glucose)
Basics of Proteins -
Proteins are what many of us may associate with body builders and special food requirements. Proteins are the building blocks of muscle. These macromolecules are essential in our system. Amino Acids and enzymes are co-dependent on proteins - these are the very basic building blocks of proteins. Amino Acids form chain like structures and when you put them together they form proteins.
Structurally there is a little more going on than with the carbohydrate! The picture below show the basic structure of one type of protein - it takes our bodies more energy and time to break down the structure before it can be used as energy for is to use in our system. There are a large variety of proteins found in our systems - this is just one of many.
Structurally there is a little more going on than with the carbohydrate! The picture below show the basic structure of one type of protein - it takes our bodies more energy and time to break down the structure before it can be used as energy for is to use in our system. There are a large variety of proteins found in our systems - this is just one of many.
Enzymes - The Best Puzzle Ever!!!!
Enzymes are all over our bodies and help us function everyday in a variety of ways.
The most common place to find an enzyme in the system? Your saliva. Saliva has enzymes in it to help break down the food and prepare it for digestion. Ever eaten a mouthful of saltines? Dry out your mouth? Imagine if we had no saliva! Yuck!!
Enzymes are very specific and their form and function is critical to biological systems. They speed up reactions, decrease the temperature required for other reactions and still are very specific to certain types of reactions. Let me make it a little simpler. They are like a puzzle. You have to have the right fit - otherwise they will not work. Why?
The most common place to find an enzyme in the system? Your saliva. Saliva has enzymes in it to help break down the food and prepare it for digestion. Ever eaten a mouthful of saltines? Dry out your mouth? Imagine if we had no saliva! Yuck!!
Enzymes are very specific and their form and function is critical to biological systems. They speed up reactions, decrease the temperature required for other reactions and still are very specific to certain types of reactions. Let me make it a little simpler. They are like a puzzle. You have to have the right fit - otherwise they will not work. Why?
Sometimes people picture enzymes as a "Lock and Key." Only certain enzymes can do certain jobs. Just like only certain keys can open certain locks.
Why do Enzymes Matter - What do they actually do?
Enzymes change reaction speeds for better use of materials - basically they use less energy and cooler temperatures to produce a reaction. It allows us to perform more efficient reactions. How do they do this? Watch the demo below to see how they work.
Denature - What?
Denature - sounds like something you would find in the ecology section right?
Nope - its about a protein.
Think of it like the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Remember that scene at the end of the movie where Dorothy splashes her with a little water? She sizzles and smokes and melts. It is the same concept here for enzymes.
You hit her with the wrong chemical she melts. (Bet she doesn't go swimming in the summer...)
If you hit an enzyme with the wrong chemical or environment it melts.
If the pH is too high or low it melts and the puzzle won't fit. If you heat up the environment too much it melts. Again, the puzzle won't fit. If it can not fit together it can not work. It really is pretty simple!
Visit an interactive description of enzymes by clicking on the button below.
Nope - its about a protein.
Think of it like the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. Remember that scene at the end of the movie where Dorothy splashes her with a little water? She sizzles and smokes and melts. It is the same concept here for enzymes.
You hit her with the wrong chemical she melts. (Bet she doesn't go swimming in the summer...)
If you hit an enzyme with the wrong chemical or environment it melts.
If the pH is too high or low it melts and the puzzle won't fit. If you heat up the environment too much it melts. Again, the puzzle won't fit. If it can not fit together it can not work. It really is pretty simple!
Visit an interactive description of enzymes by clicking on the button below.