Ch 4 - Macromolecules Flashcards
Macromolecules
Large organic molecules of which all cells are made
What are the four major groups of macromolecules?
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Nucleic acids
What do nucleic acids do?
Store and control the genetic instructions within a cell
What are vitamins?
The necessary organic molecules that our bodies cannot construct internally
What are minerals?
The requires inorganic (noncarbon-containing) nutrients
Ex: calcium and potassium
What is a carbohydrate?
A simple sugar or a larger molecule composed of multiple sugar units
What is a monosaccharide?
A carbohydrate composed of one sugar molecule
Ex: fructose and glucose
What are carbohydrates made of?
Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen
What is a disaccharide?
Two monosaccharides bonded together
Ex: sucrose, maltose, lactose
What is a polysaccharide?
Many monosaccharides bonded together
Ex: cellulose, starch and glycogen
What does Benedict’s Solution test?
The presence and concentration of sugar
What color would you expect to see with +, ++, and +++ concentrations in Benedict’s Solution?
+ green or yellow
++ orange or red
+++ brown
What are you testing for in Lugol’s Solution?
The presence of starch
What color does the solution change change to if there is starch present in Lugol’s Solution?
Dark blue or black color
What is a lipid?
Oily or greasy compounds that doesn’t dissolve in water, but will dissolve in organic solvents like ether or chloroform.
Provide long-term energy storage in cells.
What are lipids composed of?
Hydrocarbon chains with an acid group at one end
What are triglycerides?
Lipids with three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule
Are fat solid or liquid at room temperature?
Solid
Are oils solid or liquid at room temperature?
Liquid
What two tests are available to check for lipids?
Uncoated paper towel test and Sudan IV test
What are you looking for in the uncoated paper test?
A grease stain
What are you looking for in the Sudan IV test?
If the reddish liquid (Sudan IV) has dissolved in the lipid
What is a protein?
Complex chains on amino acids that do a wide range of functions in an organism.
Ex are structural components of muscle, bone, hair and nails. Movement of structures within cells (cell division). Some are enzymes that speed up cellular reactions.
How are proteins developed?
Two or more amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds forming a polypeptide chain, then the chain folds and twists as links form between adjacent parts of the chain.
What are amino acids?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
What is Biuret Reagent testing for?
The presence of peptide bonds indicating the presence of protein
What color will the solution change to with a greater concentration of peptide bonds (biuret test)?
Bluish color
