Name: __________________________________

Period: ________
PROJECT—Biomolecules
Reading Guide:
Why do we eat? Many foods taste good, but eating is important for the proper functioning of your body. When you eat a variety of
foods from the basic food groups, you are supplying your body with the nutrients it needs. The four basic food groups are:
• meat, poultry, eggs, fish, nuts, and beans • fruits and vegetables
• milk, yogurt, and cheese • bread, rice, pasta, and cereals

These four groups provide your body with essential nutrients: water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins. Along with nucleic
acids (DNA/RNA), carbohydrates, fats and proteins, are the four groups of biomolecules your body uses.

Carbohydrates and fats (lipids) are nutrients that supply your body with sources of energy. Carbohydrates may be “simple sugars”
(like soda, candy, white bread, and table sugar) that provide a quick burst of energy. Or, carbohydrates may be “complex sugars”
(like oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain breads) that provide energy over a longer period of time.

In addition to storing energy for future use, fats make up the membranes of our cells (remember the lipid bilayer!), provide protection
for vital organs, help your nervous system send electrical messages more quickly, assist in temperature regulation, and keep your
skin from drying out. Fats are therefore important in your diet.

But, too much fat in a diet can create problems. We should try to eat “good fats” while avoiding “bad fats.” What’s the difference
between a “good” fat and a “bad” fat? Good fats are also called “unsaturated” fats. Examples of good fats include vegetable oils,
fish oils, nuts and peanut butter. Bad fats are also called “saturated” or “trans” fats. Examples of bad fats include butter, lard, red
meat, fried foods, and packaged sweets and chips.

Proteins provide the body with amino acids, which your body uses to make more proteins. Remember that proteins act as enzymes
(remember sonic the hedgehog) and provide structural support (like muscles and bone). Foods that have a lot of protein include soy,
meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products.

Cholesterol is also a protein; it is found in foods with animal fats. Many of our hormones, which are used for signaling in the body
are derived (made) from cholesterol, so you need some cholesterol in the diet. However, if you consume too much cholesterol, you
increase your risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes.

The amount of energy stored in food is measured in Calories. There are 4 Calories per gram of carbohydrate, 4 Calories per gram of
protein, and 9 Calories per gram of fat. (A single paperclip has a mass of about one gram.) Most people need to eat about 2000
Calories per day. Athletes generally need to eat more calories. This information is found on food labels.

Nucleic acids like DNA and RNA are the only biomolecules we do not get from our diets. DNA is inherited from our parents and RNA
is transcribed in the nucleus with the help of proteins. Never forget your central dogma!

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for good health. Try to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, beans,
poultry, and dairy products. Limit your consumption of red meats, fried foods, sweets, soda, white bread, and flaming hot cheetos.
Remember - the smart choices you make now mean better health later!

1
Name: __________________________________
Period: ________

CARBOHYDRATES:
What is the monomer of a carbohydrate called and how can you identify one?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
.

What is the name of the process where one of these small units combine to form a more complex
molecule? ________________ ________________________.

What is released in the process? ___________

When several sugar monomers join together, what is formed? ___________________________.

Proteins :

Proteins are made of smaller sub-units called _________________________ ___________________.

There are MANY different types of proteins. Using your notes, choose 3 examples and describe their FUNCTION
in the space below.
Type of protein Function

Lipids :

1. What are the 3 types of fats? Which ones are good and which are bad?
•__________________________ Good Bad
•__________________________ Good Bad
•__________________________ Good Bad
2. Explain at least 3 reasons why you need to have fat in your body.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1.____________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________

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Name: __________________________________
Period: ________
3.____________________________________________________________________________

3. Label each food with a “U” for unsaturated fat, an “S” for saturated fat, or a “T” for trans fat.
http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-saturated-fat.php
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/05/12/beware-these-high-trans-fat-foods/

tuna fish ____ Moz. sticks ____

French fries ____ milk ____
hamburger ____ olive oil ____
butter ____ steak ____
peanut oil ____ fried chicken ____

Nucleic Acids:

There are two types of nucleic acids,

they are _____________ and
_____________. They are composed
(made of) smaller pieces called
__________________________ that
are put together by enzymes, a type of
_______________________. (Another
biomolecule). The main function of
nucleic acids is to

______________________________________________________________.

All Biomolecules:

Label each item with a “C” for carbohydrate, a “P” for protein, or a “F” for fat. You can put more than
one letter for each item. For instance, peanuts have proteins AND fats!

main source of energy in the body ____ makes up your muscles, skin, and bones ____
peanuts P, F what salivary amylase breaks down ____
made of amino acids ____ what salivary amylase is ____
sugars and starches ____ hemoglobin ____
hamburger ____ enzymes ____
butter ____ Saturated and unsaturated_ ____
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Name: __________________________________
Period: ________
antibodies ____ building blocks of hormones ____

Answer TRUE or FALSE to the following questions about biomolecules.

1. Biomolecules include carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. ____________

2. Water is one of the types of biomolecules. ____________
3. Biomolecules are living things. ____________
4. Life would be impossible without biomolecules. ____________
5. Biomolecules are too large to fit inside cells. ____________

Substances Found in Living Things:

The majority of ALL living things is made of _______________________________. This accounts for
70% of your body. A small percentage of ions and small molecules are found in all living things. An
example of this would be ________________. About 25% of ALL living things are composed of large
molecules called __________________________. They come in four types: proteins, carbohydrates,
___________________, and nucleic acids. The majority of these large molecules (more than half) are
____________________________.

4
Name: __________________________________
Period: ________
Fill out the following using the Hot Cheetos
nutrition label.
Serving Size:
________
Calories:
________
Total Fat:
________
Bad Fat (Saturated + Trans):
________
Cholesterol:
________
Total Carbs:
________
Sugars:
________
Protein:
________

1. How many calories are in one serving of

your food? ________
2. Assuming a 2000 Calorie per day diet…
what percent of your daily intake of
calories are in one serving of your food?
_____
3. How many total grams of fat are in a
serving of your food? ______
4. Of the total fat, how many grams are
saturated? ____________
5. Therefore, how many grams of fat are
unsaturated? _________
6. Of those unsaturated fats, how many
grams are trans-unsaturated fats?
_______________

5
Name: __________________________________
Period: ________

% Daily Value

Nutrition Facts

      

Double Quarter Pounder® with 9.8 oz (279

740 380 42 65 19 96 2.5 155 52 1380 57 40 13 3 12 9 48 10 4 30 35
Cheese++ g)

Large French Fries 6 oz (170 g) 570 270 30 47 6 30 8 0 0 330 14 70 23 7 28 0 6 0 15 2 10

1. How many calories should the average person consume (eat) in a day? ____________________
2. How many total calories would a person consume when eating a Double Quarter Pounder and Large
Fry? ____
3. How many total grams of fat? ________
4. What is the total % Daily Value of this meal? _________
5. Are these good fats or bad fats? Why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Want to learn more about McDonald’s Nutrition Facts? Go to:

http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.index1.html

6
Name: __________________________________
Period: ________

7
Name: __________________________________
Period: ________

Zainab really likes

Pop-Tarts. If a pack
of Pop-Tarts has two
pastries in it, how
many calories does
she eat for breakfast if
she eats one
package?
______________

How many grams of

fat? ___

She also likes eggs

once in a while, too. If
she has an egg for
breakfast one day,
how many calories
does she eat for
breakfast?
___________

How many grams of

fat are in two eggs?
____________
Choose EGGS or POP TARTS:

Which breakfast has more…

Calories _____________
Fat _____________
Saturated Fat _____________
Calories from Fat _____________
Cholesterol _____________
Protein _____________
Carbohydrates _____________

Which breakfast do you think is a healthier breakfast? Why? (3-5 sentenced required)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________