Macromolecules Flashcards
What is the monomer of proteins?
Amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
What are the functions of proteins in cells?
Diverse structural & functional roles
Proteins play various roles including enzymes, hormones, and structural components.
How do amino acids join together to form proteins?
By covalent peptide bonds, forming a chain of polypeptides
Peptide bonds link the amino group of one amino acid to the carboxyl group of another.
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain
The primary structure determines the protein’s unique characteristics.
Name three examples of proteins.
- Insulin
- Collagen
- Keratin
These proteins have different functions in the body, such as regulating blood sugar (insulin) or providing structural support (collagen and keratin).
What is the primary function of starch in plants?
Plant energy storage
Starch is a polysaccharide that serves as a major energy reserve in plants.
What role does glycogen play in animals?
Animal energy storage
Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in animals, primarily found in the liver and muscle tissues.
What is cellulose and its function?
Plant cell wall structure
Cellulose is a polysaccharide that provides structural support to plant cell walls.
What is chitin and where is it found?
Insect exoskeleton
Chitin is a polysaccharide that forms the exoskeleton of insects and some crustaceans.
What are polysaccharides primarily made from?
Glucose monomers
All polysaccharides are composed of repeating units of glucose monomers.
What differentiates various polysaccharides?
Different molecular bonding of monomers
The unique structures and functions of polysaccharides arise from the specific ways in which glucose monomers are bonded.
What are the subunits of lipids?
1 glycerol molecule and 3 fatty acids
Name two examples of lipids.
- Triglycerides
- Cholesterol
- Phospholipids
What is one function of lipids?
Energy storage
What structural role do lipids play in cells?
Cell membrane structure
Lipids are classified as _______ molecules.
non-polar
Are lipids hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Hydrophobic
Where are phospholipids primarily located?
Lipid bilayer of cell membrane
What are the three main parts of a phospholipid?
- Hydrophilic head
- Glycerol
- Phosphate
- Hydrophobic tails
- 2 fatty acids
What type of head do phospholipids have?
Hydrophilic head
Fill in the blank: The hydrophilic head of a phospholipid consists of _______.
[Glycerol and Phosphate]
What are the components of the hydrophobic tails of a phospholipid?
2 fatty acids
True or False: Phospholipids have a hydrophobic head and hydrophilic tails.
False
