Chapter Five Flashcards
What is a macromolecule?
molecules of large size that are made up of long chains of polymers
What is a polymer?
a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds
What is a monomer?
the units of a polymer
What are enzymes?
biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions; often a protein
What are the four main groups of large biological organic molecules?
- carbohydrates
- proteins
- nucleic acids
- lipids
True or False: Lipids are not polymers or macromolecules
True
What are carbohydrates?
sugars
Why are carbohydrates important?
they make energy for the body
What are the monomers of carbohydrates?
monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
What are lipids?
large class of biological molecule that does not include true polymers
Why are lipids important?
store energy in organisms, insulate the body, and provide cushion for vital organs
What are the monomers of lipids?
fatty acids and glycerol
What are proteins?
one of the most abundant organic molecules in living systems
What roles do proteins play?
structural, regulatory, contractile, and protective
Why are proteins important?
they serve in transport and storage, form membranes, and are enzymes/hormones/toxins
