Macromolecules Flashcards Overview

Macromolecules Overview

• Macromolecules are large, complex molecules essential for biological functions, categorized into carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Monomers and Polymers

• Monomer: The basic unit that serves as a building block of a macromolecule.
• Polymer: A molecule consisting of many monomers bonded together, forming macromolecules.

Carbohydrates

• Monosaccharides: The simplest form of carbohydrates, single sugar molecules (e.g., glucose).
• Disaccharides: Carbohydrates formed by the linkage of two monosaccharides.
• Polysaccharides: Complex carbohydrates made of many linked sugar molecules.
• Basic formula: Carbohydrates consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (CH2O).

Lipids

• Lipids: Macromolecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, primarily insoluble in water. Types include fats, oils, waxes, and steroids.
• Glycerol: A three-carbon molecule forming the backbone of triglycerides and phospholipids.
• Fatty Acids: Long carbon chains. Saturated fats contain only single bonds, while unsaturated fats contain at least one double bond.
• Triglycerides: Lipids composed of one glycerol and three fatty acids.
• Phospholipids: Comprised of one glycerol, one phosphate group, and two fatty acids. Critical for cell membranes.
• Steroids: Organic compounds with a structure of four carbon rings, functioning primarily as chemical messengers.
• Cholesterol: A lipid present in animal tissues, important for cellular structure and function.

Proteins

• Proteins: Made of amino acids, contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur and phosphorus.
• Amino Acids: The building blocks of proteins; animal proteins are complete, containing all 20 amino acids, while many plant proteins are incomplete.
• Enzymes: A type of protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions, critical for metabolic processes.
• Denaturation: A process where enzymes lose structure and function due to extreme temperature or pH changes.

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic Acids: Includes DNA and RNA, composed of nucleotides.
• Nucleotide: The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
• DNA stores genetic information, with sequences of adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine determining inherited characteristics.

Hormones

• Hormones: Proteins functioning as chemical messengers in the body, regulating various physiological processes.

Test your knowledge of macromolecules with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions and key terms related to monomers and polymers. Perfect for students studying biochemistry or molecular biology.