Title: MEET YOUR ORGANIC MACROMOLECULES

Standard(s): SB1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to analyze the nature of the
relationships between structures and functions in living cells.
c. Construct arguments supported by evidence to relate the structure of macromolecules
(carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) to their interactions in carrying out cellular
processes.

Phenomenon: Macromolecules are the components of life and as such have specific
structures and functions that are unique to each one of the four.

(optional) Teacher Demonstration: Ameoba Sisters Video Clip serves as an introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
annotation_id=annotation_2617484569&feature=iv&src_vid=IJ7xOSCEmZw&v=YO244P1e
9QM
~Prezi presentation to present the concept to the students
https://prezi.com/vj5ee96ce6p0/macromolecules/?
utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Group Performance: Students will work in groups of 2-4 students to sort the structures, functions,
and examples of macromolecules into different groups using the Macromolecule card sort. The teacher
will facilitate and guide students as necessary. Teacher may want to have students ask another group for
help before asking teacher. This reduces demand on and encourages students to work together.
~Supply a copy of “Macromolecules In My Food”

Individual Performance: Students will complete “Name that Molecule” worksheet to reinforce
concepts developed in the lesson.
found at: http://www.cpalms.org/uploads/resources/127577/Name%20that
%20macromolecule%20WS.pdf

Group Discussion: Ask students to read their individual performances to get the discussion
started. Make sure the following questions are referenced to meet the core ideas of the
standard.

Q: How are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids used to meet the needs of living
things?
Q: Why would carbohydrates typically have less energy than lipids?
Q: How is a protein’s structure related to its function?

Science Reflection: Students will complete 3-2-1 Macromolecules document. Students may
work individually to write 3 things they learned, 2 things they enjoyed about the lesson, and 1
question they still have. For students who deny having any further questions, they may write 5
quiz questions with answers on the lesson. These questions will allow the teacher to address
any misconceptions that were missed. If time permits, the teacher may use these questions in a
quick review game or they may be saved for a later review session.

1
Summative Assessment: There is a short quiz at the end of the Prezi that may be used at the
end of the lesson. Teachers may also choose to give their own exam upon completion of the
lesson.

Formative Assessment: Food Party: Students pull a type of macromolecule from a bag
(see attached page). They are responsible for bringing the item to class on a designated day,
along with where their macromolecule can be found in the item. Stress that they must bring
enough of their item for the whole class!!! For example, a student may pull a card that says
carbohydrate. This student may bring in a pepperoni pizza. This student will need to identify and
explain that pepperoni pizza also contains protein, nucleic acids, and lipids. This student will
then explain that the pepperoni contains fats and oils which are lipids. He/she may explain that
the pepperoni was once living and therefore contains nucleic acids. They may also explain that
there were nucleic acids in the dough as well, since it was made from wheat which was also
once living.

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Macromolecules in my food!! NAME:_________________________________

Notes/Background Information
Food is fuel:
All living things need to obtain fuel from something. Whether it is self-‐made through the process of
photosynthesis, or by ingesting something & breaking it apart into its components.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!!!!

What Makes Food?

All organic (naturally occurring, carbon containing) molecules are classified into 4 general categories
  • Carbohydrate • Lipid
  • Protein • Nucleic Acid

Foods you consume consist of these 4 molecules because the foods you eat come from living organisms.
Let’s take a look into the unique characteristics of these 4 categories.

1. Carbohydrates:
a. Sugars, starches flour), grains
b. Found in almost all food sources.
 Rice, cereal, potatoes, fruits, pasta, vegetables.
c. Main source of energy for body: need them to think, cells need carbs to function.
d. Easy energy source – easy for the body to break down
e. Simple vs. Complex carbohydrates
 Sugars are simple cars – used up very fast (monosaccharides)
 Fibrous foods have complex caarbs – sustain you for longer periods of time
(polysaccharides)

2. Lipids:
a. Fats, oil, lard, butter
b. Necessary to maintain membranes of cells
c. Also HUGE energy source but harder to break down
d. Energy is stored for long periods of time (fat) think of Mrs. Terrel and skinny Minnie on a
desert island
e. 2 types
 Saturated (solid at room temp.) (all single bonds between carbons)
 Unstautated (liquid at room temp) (at least one double bond between carbons)

3. Proteins:
a. Beans, meat, green leafy vegetables
b. Necessary to maintain muscles
c. Proteins are part of almost everything in our bodies – (reaction catalysts, antibodies, hair,
nails, muscle tissue, support of cells, “traffic cops” across cell membranes)

4. Nucleic Acids:
a. The genetic material
b. We consume the cells of an organisim. Therefore we are also eating its DNA. We actually digest it.
No, it does not become part of our DNA, but eating other organisms breaks down the DNA found in
them into componenets so they can be “recycled”.

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Macromolecule Card Sort –

PROTEINS CARBOHYDRATES NUCLEIC LIPIDS

ACIDS

CHONP CHO IN A 1:2:1 RATIO CHO as glycerol CHON

and 3 fatty acid
tails
SIMPLE SUGARS COMPLEX SUGARS OR FATS DNA
STARCHES
OILS WAXES HOMONES ATP
RNA MAKES UP CELL MEMBRANE QUICK ENERGY END IN
“-OSE”
GENETIC MADE OF NUCLEOTIDES CELLULOSE ENZYMES
MATERIAL
TRANSPORT MADE OF CHAINS OF CODE FOR SUPPORT AND
MOLECULES AMINO ACIDS PROTEINS STRUCTURE
ANTIBODIES LONG TERM STORAGE OF POTATOES CANDY BAR
ENERGY
BUTTER REPAIR and MAINTENANCE NAILS RICE
STRAWBERRIES MADE OF CHEEK CELLS STRAWBERRIES
MONOSACHARRIDES
INSULIN TUNA EGG WHITES TUNA

4
ANSWER KEY:

CARBOHY LIPIDS PROTEINS NUCLEIC

DRATES ACIDS

CHO CHO as glycerol and 3 fatty CHON CHONP

IN A 1:2:1 RATIO acid tails

SIMPLE SUGARS OILS ANTIBODIES DNA

COMPLEX WAXES HOMONES RNA

SUGARS OR
STARCHES
END IN FATS ENZYMES ATP
“-OSE”
MADE OF MAKES UP CELL MADE OF CHAINS GENETIC
MONOSACHARRI MEMBRANE OF MATERIAL
DES AMINO ACIDS
QUICK ENERGY LONG TERM STORAGE OF SUPPORT AND MADE OF
ENERGY STRUCTURE NUCLEOTIDES
CELLULOSE BUTTER REPAIR and CODES FOR
MAINTENANCE PROTEINS
CANDY BAR TRANSPORT STRAWBERRIES
MOLECULES
POTATOES NAILS CHEEK CELLS
RICE INSULIN TUNA
STRAWBERRIES EGG
WHITES/TUNA

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NAME:______________________________ DATE:________________ PERIOD:____________

3-2-1
Macromolecules
Name three things that you learned about macromolecules…

3 

Name two things that you enjoyed about the lesson.

2


What is one question that you still have about macromolecules?

1 

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 Teacher will cut the following categories out and put into a small bag for students to choose. Each
student will find an item composed of the chosen macromolecule and bring it to class for the party.
Student must explain on an index card where macromolecule is found in item and relevance of
macromolecule type to living organisms.

Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid

Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrate Protein Lipid Nucleic Acid
 
Carbohydrate and Protein Nucleic acid and Protein Lipid and Nucleic Acid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Protein Nucleic acid and Protein Lipid and Nucleic Acid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Protein Nucleic acid and Protein Lipid and Nucleic Acid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Protein Nucleic acid and Protein Lipid and Nucleic Acid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Protein Nucleic acid and Protein Lipid and Nucleic Acid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Nucleic
Acid Protein and Lipid Carbohydrate and Lipid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Nucleic
Acid Protein and Lipid Carbohydrate and Lipid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Nucleic
Acid Protein and Lipid Carbohydrate and Lipid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Nucleic
Acid Protein and Lipid Carbohydrate and Lipid Student Choice
Carbohydrate and Nucleic
Acid Protein and Lipid Carbohydrate and Lipid Student Choice