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Biology honors > macromolecules > Flashcards

macromolecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What are macromolecules and why are they important?

A

Macromolecules are large organic molecules that make up all living things, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. They are important because they run our body, hold information for how to run our body, and provide the energy to do so.

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2
Q

Structurally, most macromolecules are _____ made out of _____

A

Structurally, most macromolecules are polymers made out of monomers

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3
Q

What is the difference between monomers and polymers in macromolecules?

A

Monomers are small, basic sub-units, while polymers are larger, more complex structures made of monomers.

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4
Q

What is the main function of carbohydrates and where are they found?

A

The main function of carbohydrates is energy storage (short-term), but they also have other uses such as structure, transport, and signaling. They are found in sugars and starches.

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5
Q

What are the monomers and polymers of carbohydrates?

A

The monomer of carbohydrates is monosaccharides, such as glucose (main fuel for cell), galactose (in milk), fructose (in fruit). The polymer of carbohydrates is polysaccharides, such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

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6
Q

monosaccharides

A

single sugar molecules

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7
Q

polysaccharides

A

larger sugar molecules

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8
Q

What is the energy storage capacity of carbohydrates?

A

Carbohydrates have an energy storage capacity of 4 calories per gram.

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9
Q

What is the main function of lipids?

A

The main function of lipids is energy storage (long-term), but they also have other uses such as insulation, protection, and structure.

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10
Q

What are the monomers and polymers of lipids?

A

The monomer of lipids is fatty acids, while the polymer is triglycerides.

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11
Q

What is the structure of phospholipids?

A

The structure of phospholipids is 2 fatty acids + 1 phosphate, with a hydrophilic head (phosphate group) and a hydrophobic tail (fatty acids).

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12
Q

What is the importance of phospholipids?

A

Phospholipids are important because they make up the plasma membrane of our cells, forming a phospholipid bilayer that makes the membrane selectively permeable.

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13
Q

What is the energy storage capacity of lipids?

A

The energy storage capacity of lipids is 9 calories per gram.

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14
Q

Where are lipids found?

A

They are found in fats, oils, phospholipids (in the cell membrane), and steroids.

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15
Q

What is the main function of nucleic acids?

A

The main function of nucleic acids is to store, transmit, and express our genetic information, including the instructions for making proteins.

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16
Q

Where are nucleic acids found?

A

They are found in DNA and RNA, which are inherited from our parents and not obtained from food.

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17
Q

What are the monomers and polymers of nucleic acids?

A

The monomer of nucleic acids is nucleotides, which are made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base (adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, or uracil). The polymer of nucleic acids is either DNA or RNA.

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18
Q

Are nucleic acids a source of energy for the body?

A

No, nucleic acids are not a source of energy for the body and are never broken down as such.

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19
Q

What is the main function of proteins?

A

Proteins do not have a specific “main function” because they perform many functions in the body.

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20
Q

What are some of the functions of proteins?

A

Enzymes that control the rate of biochemical reactions
Hormones that regulate cell processes (e.g., insulin)
Structural components of bones and muscles (e.g., collagen)
Transporters of substances in and out of the cell (e.g., hemoglobin)
Antibodies that help the immune system fight diseases
Involved in movement (e.g., contractile proteins)
Act as receptors that aid in cell signaling
Serve as an energy source in the food we eat (e.g., casein)

21
Q

Where are proteins found?

A

Proteins can be found in meats, nuts, and dairy products, but many are also made by the body.

22
Q

What is the monomer of proteins?

A

The monomer of proteins is amino acids.

23
Q

What is the polymer of proteins?

A

The polymer of proteins is a polypeptide, which is made up of amino acids linked together by a peptide bond.

24
Q

How much energy is stored in proteins?

A

Proteins provide 4 calories of energy per gram.

25
Q

Are proteins the body’s first choice for energy?

A

No, proteins are usually the last resort for the body to use as an energy source, as they perform many important functions beyond providing energy.

26
Q

What is the importance of protein folding?

A

Protein folding is crucial as it determines the final shape of the protein, which in turn dictates its function.

27
Q

What is the diversity of proteins in terms of structure and function?

A

Proteins are the most diverse macromolecule in terms of both structure and function.

28
Q

How many levels of structure do proteins have?

A

Proteins have four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.

29
Q

How does form dictate function in proteins?

A

The form, or shape, of a protein is directly related to its function. Different shapes allow proteins to carry out different tasks in the body.

30
Q

What determines the function of a protein?

A

The shape of the protein determines what it does.

31
Q

What atoms do carbohydrates contain?

A

Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

32
Q

What is the second monomer in lipids and what atoms do lipids contain?

A

The second monomer in lipids is glycerol and lipids contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

33
Q

What atoms do proteins contain?

A

Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms.

34
Q

What atoms do nucleic acids contain?

A

Nucleic acids contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus atoms.

35
Q

What is a dehydration reaction in terms of polymer building?

A

A dehydration reaction is a type of chemical reaction that builds a polymer by linking monomers.

36
Q

What happens to water molecules during a dehydration reaction?

A

Water molecules are removed during a dehydration reaction.

37
Q

What is an example of a dehydration reaction in the body?

A

An example of a dehydration reaction in the body is when there is an excess of glucose, the body combines the extra glucose molecules to store as glycogen.

38
Q

What is the process of breaking polymers down into monomers called?

A

The process of breaking polymers down into monomers is called hydrolysis.

39
Q

When making polymers what happens to the water molecule?

A

WATER MOLECULE IS REMOVED IN THIS REACTION

40
Q

When breaking polymers what happens to the water molecule?

A

WATER MOLECULE IS ADDED IN THIS REACTION

41
Q

What is the most diverse macromolecule in terms of structure and function?

A

Proteins

42
Q

What are the four levels of protein structure?

A

The four levels of protein structure are primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.

43
Q

What is the primary structure of a protein?

A

The primary structure is the amino acid sequence.

44
Q

What is the quaternary structure of a protein?

A

The quaternary structure is when two or more polypeptide chains bond together.

45
Q

What is the secondary structure of a protein?

A

The secondary structure can be either an alpha helix or beta sheet.

46
Q

What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

A

The tertiary structure is when a polypeptide chain bends and folds into a 3D structure.

47
Q

What does form dictate in proteins?

A

Form dictates function. The shape of the protein determines what it does.

48
Q

What is the importance of protein folding?

A

Protein folding is important because it allows the protein to achieve its proper structure, which in turn allows it to perform its specific function.

Biology honors (9 decks)

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