Carbohydrates & lipids - macromolecules Flashcards
What are carbon compounds made from?
Many small, repeating subunits
What are monomers?
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made
Define polymers.
Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together in a chain
What is polymerisation?
The process by which monomers join to form polymers
What are macromolecules?
Very large molecules containing 1000 or more atoms
Are all macromolecules polymers?
No, not all macromolecules are polymers
Polymers must consist of many repeating subunits
Give an example of a macromolecule that is not a polymer.
Lipids
What is the monomer of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
What are the monomers of lipids?
Fatty acids, glycerol, phosphate groups
What is the monomer of proteins (polypeptides)?
Amino acids
What is the monomer of nucleic acids?
Nucleotides
How are macromolecules formed?
During condensation reactions
What occurs during a condensation reaction?
Molecules combine, forming covalent bonds and resulting in polymers
What is removed during a condensation reaction?
Water
What is a glycosidic bond?
A strong covalent bond formed between two hydroxyl groups on different monosaccharides.
What forms a peptide bond?
Two amino acid monomers interacting during condensation reactions
What is a phosphodiester bond?
A bond formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the pentose sugar of the next nucleotide
What reaction breaks down macromolecules into monomers?
Hydrolysis reaction
What does hydrolysis mean?
‘Lysis’ (to break) and ‘hydro’ (with water)
What happens during the hydrolysis of macromolecules?
Covalent bonds are broken when water is added
What is produced from the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in poly- or disaccharides?
Monosaccharides
What is produced from the hydrolysis of peptide bonds?
Amino acids
What is produced from the hydrolysis of ester bonds in triglycerides?
Three fatty acids and glycerol
Give the bond formed in the condensation reaction for: polysaccharides, polypeptides and nucleic acids
Polysaccharides: glycosidic bond
Polypeptides: peptide bond
Nucleic acids: phosphodiester bond
