BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES Flashcards
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large molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules are called biological
macromolecules.
Biological macromolecules
a molecule of any of a class of compounds, mostly organic, that can react with other molecules to form very large molecules, or polymers.
Monomer
qualifies as
the “foundation” element for molecules in living things. It is the bonding properties of carbon atoms that are responsible for its important role.
Carbon
Carbon contains_________ electrons
in its outer shell. Therefore, it
can form four covalent bonds
Four
The simplest organic carbon molecule
METHANE (CH4)
provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose, a simple sugar.
Carbohydrates also have other important functions in humans,
animals, and plants.
Carbohydrates
three subtypes:
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
are simple sugars, the most common of which is glucose. In
______, the number of carbon atoms usually ranges
from three to six. Most ________ names end with the
suffix -ose.
Monosaccharides
form when two monosaccharides
undergo a dehydration reaction (a reaction in which the removal
of a water molecule occurs). During this process, the hydroxyl
group (–OH) of one monosaccharide combines with a hydrogen
atom of another monosaccharide, releasing a molecule of water
(H2O) and forming a covalent bond between atoms in the two
sugar molecules.
Disaccharides
a disaccharide consisting of the monomers glucose
and galactose. It is found naturally in milk.
Lactose
disaccharide formed from a dehydration reaction
between two glucose molecules.
Maltose
most common disaccharide
is sucrose, or table sugar, which is composed of the monomers
glucose and fructose.
Sucrose
long chain of monosaccharides linked by covalent bonds. The chain may be branched or unbranched, and it may contain
different types of monosaccharides.
Polysaccharide
diverse group of compounds that are united by a common
feature. Lipids are hydrophobic or insoluble in water, because
they are nonpolar molecules.
Lipids
have a long chain of
hydrocarbons to which an acidic carboxyl group is attached,
Fatty Acid
there are only single bonds between neighboring carbons in the hydrocarbon chain,
Saturated Fatty Acid
hydrocarbon chain contains a double bond, the fatty acid is
Unsaturated
are the major constituent of the plasma membrane. There are two fatty acids and the third carbon of the glycerol backbone is bound to a phosphate group. Fatty acid chains are hydrophobic and exclude themselves from water, whereas the phosphate is hydrophilic
and interacts with water
Phospholipids
have a ring structure. Although they do not resemble other lipids, they are grouped with them because they are also hydrophobic. Found in the cell membrane where they influence the membrane fluidity. It can also act as Hormone.
Steroids
are made up of a hydrocarbon chain with ester made alcohol (–OH) group and a fatty acid. Examples of animal ____include beeswax and lanolin. Plants also have ____, such as the coating on their leaves, that helps prevent them from drying out
Waxes
are one of the most abundant organic molecules in
living systems and have the most diverse range of functions of
all macromolecules.
Protein
which are produced by living cells, are catalysts in
biochemical reactions (like digestion) and are usually proteins
Enzymes
chemical signaling molecules, usually proteins or
steroids, secreted by an endocrine gland or group of endocrine
cells that act to control or regulate specific physiological
processes, including growth, development, metabolism, and
reproduction.
Hormones
are the monomers that make up proteins. Each
amino acid has the same fundamental structure, which consists
of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (–NH2), a
carboxyl group (–COOH), and a hydrogen atom.
Amino Acids
