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Questions and Answers
Which type of macromolecule is not considered a polymer due to containing two different subunits?
Which type of macromolecule is not considered a polymer due to containing two different subunits?
What is the main difference between monosaccharides and disaccharides?
What is the main difference between monosaccharides and disaccharides?
Which enzyme deficiency leads to lactose intolerance?
Which enzyme deficiency leads to lactose intolerance?
What type of carbohydrate includes long polymers like starch, glycogen, and cellulose?
What type of carbohydrate includes long polymers like starch, glycogen, and cellulose?
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Which molecule is used as long term energy storage for animals and plants?
Which molecule is used as long term energy storage for animals and plants?
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Which macromolecule is constructed by linking a large number of the same subunit, called a monomer?
Which macromolecule is constructed by linking a large number of the same subunit, called a monomer?
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What is the primary function of phospholipids in biological systems?
What is the primary function of phospholipids in biological systems?
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What characteristic defines a saturated fatty acid?
What characteristic defines a saturated fatty acid?
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What is the primary function of cholesterol in the body?
What is the primary function of cholesterol in the body?
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What distinguishes cellulose from glycogen and starch in terms of digestion?
What distinguishes cellulose from glycogen and starch in terms of digestion?
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Study Notes
Polymers and Macromolecules
- A polymer is composed of large molecules called macromolecules, which are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers.
- Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are macromolecules.
- Monomers are atoms or small molecules that bond together to form more complex structures such as polymers.
Monomers
- There are four main types of monomers: sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides.
- Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are referred to as polymers because they are constructed by linking a large number of the same subunit, called a monomer.
- Lipids are not polymers because they contain two different types of subunits, glycerol and fatty acids.
Carbohydrates
- Most carbohydrates have a carbon-hydrogen-oxygen ratio of 1:2:1 (CH2O).
- Monosaccharides are single molecules of sugar, also known as simple sugars.
- A monosaccharide can have a backbone of carbon of 3-7 carbons.
- Glucose is a hexose sugar, with the formula C6H12O6.
- Disaccharides are two monosaccharides, such as maltose, sucrose, and lactose.
Polysaccharides
- Polysaccharides are long polymers like starch, glycogen, and cellulose that contain long chains of subunits.
- Also known as complex carbohydrates.
- Starch and glycogen are storage forms of glucose in plants and animals, respectively.
- Cellulose is found in plant cell walls and has a different linkage pattern, making it indigestible.
- Chitin is a structural polysaccharide found in the skeleton of crabs and similar animals.
Lipids
- Lipids are hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in water.
- Triglycerides (fats and oils) are used as long-term energy storage for animals and plants.
- Phospholipids form membranes that separate environments and form inner compartments.
- Steroids are sex hormones, and wax serves as protection and prevents water loss.
Fats and Oils
- Triglycerides are made of a single glycerol unit and three fatty acid molecules.
- Fats are solid at room temperature, while oils are liquid at room temperature.
- Fatty acids are hydrocarbon chains that end with an acidic group “-COOH”, and contain 16 or 18 carbon atoms.
- Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated, with saturated having no double bonds and unsaturated having double bonds.
Phospholipids
- Lipids that have a phosphate group.
- Primary components of cellular membranes.
Steroids
- Have a backbone of four fused carbon rings.
- Cholesterol is a steroid that enters the body through our diet.
- 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 in chemistry. Learn about the different types of macromolecules and their building blocks. Explore the relationship between polymers and monomers in biological molecules.
