Macromolecules and Your Body

Anatomy

Carbohydrates

• Three main carbohydrates in body – Glucose (stores energy) – Glycogen (stores energy) – Ribose (expression of hereditary information)

Lipids

• Four main lipids that are important to us – Triglycerides – Phospholipids – Steriods – Prostaglandins/ Eicosanoids

Triglycerides

• Store energy • Butter, olive oil • Get a lot from your diet

Phospholipids

• Lecithin and Cephalin • Form cell membranes

Steriods

• Cortoicosteroids (cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone) • Synthesis hormones and help form membranes

Prostaglandins & Eicosanoids

• Regulating actions of hormones • Help immune system • Influences inflammatory response • Causes contraction of smooth muscle for labor • Contributes to production of mucus in stomach

Proteins

• Functional and structural

Functional Proteins

• Regulate chemical reactions

Structural Proteins

• Form part of the tissues that provide mechanical support to the part of the body where they are located

Nucleic Acids

• DNA and RNA

DNA

• Genetic code and information • Ensures daughter cells inherit data from parent cells • Code the ways proteins turn genes on and off • Needed to form mRNA

RNA

• Carries genetic information • Catalyzes biochemical reactions • Adapter molecule in protein synthesis • Structural molecules in cellular organelles – mRNA – tRNA – rRNA – snRNA (catalyze reactions with mRNA) – gRNA (edits RNA)

Combinations of Macromolecules • Glycoproteins – Mannose and galactose – Regulate chemical reactions (similar function to functional proteins)

Combinations of Macromolecules • Proteoglycans – Important for lubrication (increase thickness of fluids)

Combinations of Macromolecules • Lipoproteins – Transport lipids in blood

Combinations of Macromolecules • Glycolipids – Cerebrosides (in myelin sheaths of nerve fibers) – Cell membranes

Combinations of Macromolecules • Ribonucleoproteins – Have enzyme like properties (slicing mRNA  snRNPs)