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Questions and Answers
What are macromolecules composed of in a polymer?
What are macromolecules composed of in a polymer?
Which type of subunits do lipids contain?
Which type of subunits do lipids contain?
What is the carbon-hydrogen-oxygen ratio of most carbohydrates?
What is the carbon-hydrogen-oxygen ratio of most carbohydrates?
Which type of carbohydrates are referred to as complex carbohydrates?
Which type of carbohydrates are referred to as complex carbohydrates?
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Which enzyme breaks down lactose?
Which enzyme breaks down lactose?
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Which molecule serves as long term energy storage for both animals and plants?
Which molecule serves as long term energy storage for both animals and plants?
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What differentiates saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?
What differentiates saturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids?
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What is the main function of phospholipids in biological systems?
What is the main function of phospholipids in biological systems?
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What is the common characteristic of lipids according to the text?
What is the common characteristic of lipids according to the text?
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What structural feature prevents cellulose from being digested by humans?
What structural feature prevents cellulose from being digested by humans?
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Study Notes
Polymers and Macromolecules
- A polymer is a large molecule composed of many smaller units called monomers.
- Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are examples of macromolecules.
- There are four main types of monomers: sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides.
Carbohydrates
- Most carbohydrates have a carbon-hydrogen-oxygen ratio of 1:2:1 (CH2O).
- Monosaccharides are simple sugars with a carbon backbone of 3-7 carbons.
- Examples of monosaccharides include glucose (hexose sugar), fructose (found in fruits), and galactose (found in milk).
- Disaccharides are formed by combining two monosaccharides, such as maltose (glucose + glucose), sucrose (glucose + fructose), and lactose (glucose + galactose).
Complex Carbohydrates
- Polysaccharides are long polymers composed of many subunits, including starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
- Starch and glycogen are used for energy storage in plants and animals, respectively.
- Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls and is indigestible by humans.
Lipids
- Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in water.
- Triglycerides (fats and oils) are used for long-term energy storage in animals and plants.
- Phospholipids form membranes and separate environments, while steroids function as sex hormones.
- Fats are solid at room temperature, while oils are liquid.
Fats and Oils
- Triglycerides are composed of a glycerol unit and three fatty acid molecules.
- Fats are emulsified by bile in the intestines, and the liver produces bile.
- Fatty acids are hydrocarbon chains with an acidic group (-COOH) and contain 16 or 18 carbon atoms.
Phospholipids and Steroids
- Phospholipids have a phosphate group and are the primary components of cellular membranes.
- Steroids have a backbone of four fused carbon rings, and cholesterol is a precursor for other steroids like bile salts, estrogen, and testosterone.
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Description
Test your knowledge on macromolecules and monomers, including the types of macromolecules and monomers, their composition, and their functions in biological systems.
