Chapter 5: The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules Flashcards
Macromolecules
large carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, huge in size, chain-like molecules called polymers
Polymers
a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical blocks linked by covalent bonds
Monomers
smaller molecules in repeating units that serve as building blocks for polymers
Enzymes
specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions
Condensation reaction
reaction that connects monomers to polymers, two molecules are covalently bonded to each other with the loss of a small molecule
Dehydration Reaction
reaction resulting in the loss of a water molecule
Polysaccharide
more than two monosaccharides linked together, macromolecule, polymers with a few hundred to a few thousand monosaccharides, structure and function is determined by its monosaccharides and position of its glycosidic linkages
Hydrolysis
reaction in which polymers are broken down into monomers, essentially the reverse of a dehydration reaction, bind between monomers is broken down by the addition of water molecules
4 Major Classes of Large Biological Molecules
sugars, proteins, lipids, phospholipids, steroids (check notes to read about each one)
Disaccharide
two monosaccharides linked together
Glycosidic Linkages
a covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction
Storage Polysaccharide
starch, polymer of glucose monomers, synthesizing starch creates glucose which is stored as energy
Glycogen
polymer of glucose stored in animals that branches off more than 6 times, mostly in muscle and liver cells, breakdown of glycogen releases glucose for energy, comes from carbs in food
Chitin
carb used by arthropods (spiders, insects, crustaceans) that forms the exoskeleton and hardens it over time
Structural Polysaccharide
cellulose, major component to the tough walls of plant cells
Fat
large molecules formed by smaller moleculse through a dehydration reaction, consists of a glycerol molecule joined to three fatty acids
Glycerol
an alcohol with each of its 3 carbons bearing a hydroxyl group
Unsaturated Fatty Acid
has one or more double bonds, with one fewer hydrogen bond on each double bonded carbon
Ester Linkage
a bond between a hydroxyl and carboxyl group
Fatty Acid
has a long carbon skeleton of ususally 16-18 carbon atoms, carbon at one end is part of the carboxyl group and gives it the ACID name, nonpolar hydrocarbon chains make fatty acids hydrophobic
Saturated Fatty Acid
if there are no double bonds between carbon atoms then as many hydrogen atoms as possible are bonded to the carbon skeleton, making it saturated in hydrogen
Trans Double Bond
hydrogenating produces trans double bonds that were not naturally occurring
Adipose Cell
where mammals stock long-term food reserves, cells that swell and shrink as fat is deposited and withdrawn