Biomacromolecules Flashcards
What are the four basic types of macromolecules?
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids and Nucleic Acids
What are biomacromolecules?
Compounds made of non-metal atoms mainly C, H and O
What comprises of a organic molecule?
carbon atoms hydrogen atoms most also contain oxygen atoms some also contain nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulphur atoms C.H.O.N.P.S. The 6 elements of life
What are polymers?
Polymers are large compounds made from many smaller subunits (monomers)
What is polymerisation?
Polymerisation is the process of creating polymers from monomers
What is an anabolic reaction?
Type of chemical reaction that creates new large compounds, from smaller ones
Requires energy
What is a catabolic reaction?
Type of chemical reaction that breaks down large compounds into smaller ones Releases energy (when they separate)
What is the combination of catabolic and anabolic called?
Metabolism
What the monomers for carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
What are the polymers for carbohydrates called?
Polysaccharides
What is the monomers of proteins called?
Amino acids
What is the polymers of proteins called?
Polypeptides
What are the monomers of Nucleic acids called?
Nucleotides
What are the polymers of nucleotides called?
Nucleic Acids - (DNA, RNA)
What are the similarities of between organic molecules?
Carb. polymers are a single chain of identical monomers
Protein polymers are a single chain of monomers that contain identical regions, and unique regions
Nucleic acid polymers can form double chains, with monomers that contain identical regions, and unique regions
What are the monomers of lipids called?
Fatty Acids
What are the polymers of lipids called?
Triglycerides
Is water an organic molecule?
No, organic molecules MUST contain both carbon and hydrogen
Why is there so much water in living cells?
For organisms to live, millions of chemical reactions are required. All these chemical reactions are known as metabolism. Metabolism occurs in a watery solution.
Are water molecules polar or non-polar?
Polar. The oxygen side is partially negative and the hydrogen sides are partially positive.
