Summary of Textbook Section 5.2

Assignment:
Write a summary of 5.2

Section 5.2: Carbohydrates provide fuel and building material

defining key terms

• carbohydrate - "organic compound made of sugar molecules" (Campbell, 820)
• monosaccharide - "sugar containing one sugar unit" (Campbell, 827)
• disaccharide - "sugar containing two monosaccharides" (Campbell, 822)
• polysaccharide - "long polymer chain made up of simple sugar monomers" (Campbell, 829)
• starch - "polysacchardie in plant cells that consists entirely of glucose monomers" (Campbell, 830)
• glycogen - "polysaccharide in animal cells that consists of many glucose monomers" (Campbell, 824)
• cellulose - "polysaccharide consisting of glucose monomers that reinforces plant-cell walls" (Campbell, 821)

Sugars (page 95,96)

• contain elements C, H, and O
• ratio of 1C 2H and 1O
• basic formula: CH2O
• most natural sugar molecules ring-shaped

image of glucose (taken from http://www.crsbooks.net/appendix.html on Sep. 1)

Monosaccharides

• one sugar unit
• common e.g. glucose, fructose, and galactose
• (esp. glucose) "the main fuel supply for cellular work" (Campbell, 95)
• cells extract stored energy from breaking down the molecules
• carbon skeletons of monosaccharides used as "raw material for manufacturing other kinds of organic molecules" (Campbell, 95)
• when not put to use, made into larger carbohydrates or make fat

image of sucrose (taken from http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/08365/h&p1bmol.htm on Sep. 1)

Disaccharides

• made from two monosaccharides during dehydration reaction
• most common disaccharide: sucrose, "a glucose molecule linked to a fructose molecule" (Campbell, 96)
• sucrose "is a major carbohydrate in plant sap, and it nourishes all parts of the plant" and the ingredient of table sugar (Campbell, 96)
• sucrose can be used as glucose and fructose immediately once consumed

image of starch (taken from http://www.sciencecollege.co.uk/SC/biochemicals.html on Sep. 1)

Polysaccharides (a.k.a. complex carbohydrates) - "long chains made up of simple sugar monomers" (Campbell, 96)

Starch

• a polysaccharide, "starch is found in plant cells and consists only of glucose monomers" (Campbell, 96).
  
• starch chains, coiled like telephone lines outside the cells, are sugar stockpiles
• humans and many animals absorb stored glucose of starch by breaking down starch chains in digestive systems
• items with much starch include potatoes, rice, and corn
• starch in plant cells, no animal cells
  

Polysaccharide

• starch: in plant cells
  
• glycogen: in animal cells; "like starch, is a chain of many glucose monomers... [but] is more highly branched than a starch polymer. Glycogen in stored in liver and muscle cells" (Campbell, 96)
  
• cellulose: plant, serves as building blocks; "They protect cells and stiffen the plant, preventing it from flopping over" (Campbell, 97). A.k.a fiber, not digestible by humans and many animals, helps digestive system, no direct nutrients
  
• all made from glucose, but bonding is different; cellulose stronger thanks to hydrogen bonds between monomers, "forming cable-like fibers in the tough walls that enclose plant cells" (Campbell, 97).
• "Most carbohydrates are hydrophilic" thanks to the hydroxyl groups included in sugar units (Campbell, 97).
• Cellulose do not melt in water, unlike monosaccharides and disaccharide.
  

Forgive the incorrect image citations, but shouldn't the essence that I try not to take credit more important? Ha ha ha ha.... this is really tiring.... could we go back a couple decades, to the times of pen and paper?

Concept check:

1. Differences of mono and disaccharides. Give examples of each. Monosaccharides (glucose) are sugars containing 1 sugar unit, while a disaccharide (sucrose) contains 2 units, or 2 monosaccharides.
   
2. Compare starch, gylcogen, and cellulose. All 3 made from glucose, the difference is in their structures. Structures directly affecting function, they are all used for different purposes. Starch is the form in which plants store energy, and gylcogen, the form for animals. Cellulose is a special polysaccharide that reinforces cell-walls and assist human digestion. Commonly known as fiber.
   
3. How do animals store excess glucose molecules? Animals store excess glucose by putting them together, forming larger carbohydrates, or in this case, gylcogen.
   

Summary of Textbook Section 5.1

Assignment:
Write a summary of 5.1

Section 5.1 Carbon is the main ingredient of organic molecules

defining key terms

• organic molecule: "carbon-based molecule" (Campbell, 827)
• inorganic molecule: "non-carbon-baed molecule" (Campbell, 825)
• hydrocarbon: "organic molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecules" (Campbell, 825)
• functional group: "group of atims within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecules" (Campbell, 824)
• hydrophilic: "attracts water molecules" (Campbell, 825)
• monomer: "small molecular unit that is the building block of a larger molecule" (Campbell, 827)
• polymer: "long chain of small molecular units (monomers)" (Campbell, 829)

Most molecules of cells based on C and H2O -> aka "biomaterials"

Carbon Skeletons and Functional Groups:

• C atom, 6 e-, 4 in outmost energy layer -> allow huge variety in bonds
• hydrocarbon: organic molecule of H&C (exempli gratia CH4, methane)
• energy stored in body as hydrocarbon strings -> fat
• frequently used C, H, O, N

Forms of carbon skeletons

straight chain

branched chain

ring chain

Common functional groups:

Monomers and polymers:

• monomers linked together: polymer
• some biomolecules from 100s to 1,000,000s atoms
• polymers are endless combinations of 50 types monomers
• each cell has thousands different polymers
• polymers branch in strings and bend back
• life's large molecules -> carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

Building and breaking polymer:

• monomers add to chain -> water molecule is released: dehydration reaction
• breaking chain -> addd mater molecule: hydrolysis reaction

body uses monomers to build polymers or break down for energy

Concept check:

1. Draw a molecule that has a three-carbon skeleton and a hydroxyl group on the middle carbon. (Hint: C3H8O)
2. Explain the connection between monomers and polymers. Polymers are monomers linked together.
3. What molecule is released during the construction of a polymer? What is this reaction called? Called a dehydration reaction, a water molecule is released during this process.
   
4. Draw at least three ways in which five carbon atoms could be joined to make different carbon skeletons.

History of Myself

Assignment:
Write a short history about your self.
Introduce yourself to the reader (me and your class mates)


A stubborn juvenile and immature idealist, I have yet to learn the lessons of life. I live in a world full of luxuries. Since birth, I have been surrounded by the love of my parents, along with the intimate care of my sister - Helen, a junior of our school.

Born in Korea, I had the opportunity of living in the States for around five years in my early childhood. I remember those days - going to the library everyday from am to pm, playing football with the guys.

In the middle of second grade, I moved from Illinois to Korea. There, after a malicious greeting from the impish boys, I was able to melt in quite nicely. During my years there, I developed a convivial spirit - loving games, parties, and all that stuff.

Before I was able to graduate elementary school, I moved to Shanghai. Riding a bus for forty-five minutes everyday to the eminent Concordia International School, Shanghai, I began turn my focus towards academics after meeting an engaging English teacher, Mr. Tovar. I wonder how he is these days, we lost contact when I moved.

In AISG, I am having fun days. Turning my back against academics once more, homework is an occasional event, rather than what it is meant to be. Now, my highest priorities are leisure and joy. Ah, but my Bio teacher need not worry; my love for science allows me to enjoy doing the assignments - a thing I cannot consciously tell other teachers.

My lack of fervor towards any goal tells me I have yet to learn what is valuable in life - money, education, honor, or dignity. Well, I have another sixty years for that. Maybe a day will come when I learn to value the opportunity to learn. For now, I shall continue to whine about tests and hours of homework.