Biological Molecules - Macromolecules and Polymers (2.1.2) Flashcards
What are macromolecules?
Complex molecules with a relatively large molecular mass.
Proteins, Carbohydrates and Lipids.
What are polymers?
Polymers are macromolecules made of repeating subunits.
A protein is both a macromolecule and a polymer since it is made of repeating units of amino acids.
Most carbohydrates, all proteins and nucleic acids are polymers.
Why are lipids not polymers?
They do not consist of repeating units (monomers).
A triglyceride is a macromolecule but not a polymer.
How are polymers formed and broken?
Condensation reactions
Hydrolysis reactions
What happens in a condensation reaction?
A chemical bond is formed between monomers, releasing a molecule of water.
What happens in a hydrolysis reaction?
A chemical bond is broken by adding a molecule of water.
