Carbon Compounds & Macromolecules Large molecules that make up all living things. Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids Essential Questions 1. Explain how macromolecules (or polymers) are formed from smaller molecules (monomers). 2. Explain how macromolecules (or polymers) are broken down into smaller molecules (monomers). Organic Compounds • Organic compounds are carbon-based molecules that are produced by living organisms • Organic compounds are most commonly contain (HONC): – Hydrogen – Oxygen – Nitrogen – Carbon Carbon Bonding • Carbon can form four covalent bonds with other molecules – This allows it to form long, branching carbon chains & rings Functional Groups • Functional groups are groups of atoms attached to a carbon skeleton that is directly involved in chemical reactions – Many organic molecules have two or more functional groups – Each functional group determines the function & behavior of the molecule • Examples: – Hydroxyl group (—OH) – Carboxyl group (—COOH) Monomers (one part) • Monomers are the smaller subunits (molecules) of a macromolecule. – Mono = one. • Each of the four macromolecules have a different monomer. Polymers (many parts) • Polymers are many monomers bonded together. – Poly = many. • Polymers can be from 2 to 200,000 monomers in length. • The type of polymer depends upon the monomers that it is made up of Monomers to Polymers • Condensation Reaction = process of building a polymer by linking monomers together – AKA: ―dehydration reaction‖ • How it works: – Two monomers form a bond – Each bond that is formed releases 1 water molecule Polymers to Monomers • Hydrolysis = process of breaking down a polymer into monomers • How it works: – The bonds holding monomers together are broken by a water molecule.