D1 - Macromolecules Flashcards
Carbohydrates
Main energy source for the body.
Made of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in a 1:2:1 ratio.
Examples: Glucose, starch, cellulose
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars with 3-7 carbon atoms.
Examples: Glucose, fructose, galactose
Disaccharides
Made by combining two monosaccharides.
Examples: Sucrose (glucose + fructose), maltose, lactose
Polysaccharides
Complex carbohydrates made of many linked sugars.
Examples: Starch → Energy storage in plants; Glycogen → Energy storage in animals; Cellulose → Structural component of plant cell walls
Lipids
Used for long-term energy storage and insulation.
Insoluble in water.
Examples: Fats, oils, phospholipids
Saturated Fats
No double bonds between carbon atoms.
Solid at room temperature.
Found in animal fats and dairy
Unsaturated Fats
One or more double bonds between carbon atoms.
Liquid at room temperature.
Found in plant oils and fish
Trans Fats
Produced through hydrogenation (adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats).
Increases bad cholesterol (LDL) and decreases good cholesterol (HDL).
Macromolecules
Large, complex organic molecules essential for life.
Includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
Dehydration Synthesis
Building macromolecules by removing water.
Forms covalent bonds between monomers.
Hydrolysis
Breaking down macromolecules by adding water.
Breaks covalent bonds between monomers.
Catabolism
Breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones.
Releases energy.
Anabolism
Building complex molecules from simpler ones.
Requires energy.
Proteins
Made of amino acids.
Used for growth, repair, enzymes, structural support.
Contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sometimes sulfur (S).
Amino Acids
Building blocks of proteins.
Contain: Amino group (NH₂), carboxyl group (COOH), and an R group.
Peptide Bonds
Bonds that link amino acids together.
Formed through dehydration synthesis.
Polypeptides
Long chains of amino acids.
Fold to form functional proteins.
Denaturation
A change in protein shape due to heat, pH, or other environmental factors.
Can be reversible or irreversible (coagulation).
Nucleic Acids
DNA & RNA → store and transmit genetic information.
DNA
Stores genetic information.
Double-helix structure.
RNA
Helps build proteins from amino acids.
Single-stranded structure.
Nucleotides
Building blocks of nucleic acids.
Composed of: Phosphate group, Sugar, Nitrogenous base.
