Steroids, Jello and Cow Bones Oh MY!

Thursday September 20^th

Looking at the following chemical formula, what kind of biomolecule would you infer this to be?  Why?

               C₁₉H₂₈O₂              

 This would be an example of a lipid.  You can tell by the large number of Carbons and Hydrogens.  While there is a FEW oxygen molecules - it is not anywhere CLOSE to a 1:2:1 ratio.  This is in fact the structural formula of Testosterone which is a natural steroid hormone found in our bodies.

Proteins have MANY different functions – in fact proteins are pretty much involved in ALL cellular functions in one way or another.  The structures of these proteins are incredibly complex.  First, what subunits make up protein? Amino Acids

Next, what determines the function of different proteins?  The shape and how those amino acids are folded on top of each other.

After this we continued through the notes focusing this time mostly on proteins.  We saw that the range of proteins is ENORMOUS.  I had you jot down a couple of the following examples and let you listen to a podcast about the source of the protein found in Jello.  Here a link to the transcript of that Podcast

http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/transcript/what-exactly-is-jello-made-from/

Tomorrow I would like your "chemistry of Health" worksheet and writings.  We will also take a daily question quiz and finish up with organic molecules tomorrow.