Macromolecules Flashcards
Carbon bonds with
Many different things forming millions of possible compounds
Organic chemistry
Study of carbon compounds
Macromolecules
Large organic molecules of life found in cells
Most macromolecules are formed by
Polymerization, the chaining together of many similar pieces to form a whole
Four major groups of macromolecules
Carbs
Proteins
Nuclei acids
Lipids
Carbs are made of…
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
1:2:1 ratio
Carbs
Main energy source for life
Used for structural purposes
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars
Glucose
Galactose
Fructose
Disaccharides
Polymerizations of monosaccharides
Sucrose
Polysaccharides
Complex carbs
Excess sugar in plants and animals
Stored in Polysaccharides
Animals = glycogen
Plants = starch
Proteins
Contain c o h and n
Polypeptides
Polymerization of amino acids
Protein
One or more polypeptides together with other components
Controls reaction rates, regulates cell processes, forms certain cell structures, transports substances in and out of cell, helps form the immune system
4 levels of structures of proteins
Primary structure- sequence of amino acids
Secondary structure- folding/ coiling of amino acid chain into polypeptide
Tertiary structure- 3D arrangement of entire protein include any other attached components
Quadripartite structure- if applicable- describes orientation of multiple polypeptide chains in relation to each other r
Lipids are generally not —- in water
Soluble
Lipids
Typically used for long term energy storage
Also used to form biological membranes
Steroids- important for communication
Formed by combining molecule of glycerol with 3 fatty acid chains
Saturated fat
All single bonds in fatty acid chains with max number of Hs
Tend to be solid at room temp
Unsaturated fats
One or more double bonds in fatty acid chains
Tend to be liquid at room temp
Monounsaturated- one double bound
Polyunsaturated- 2 or more double bonds
Nucleus acids contain
C H O N and P
Nucleic acids
Polymers of monomers called nucleotides Nucleotides consist of: 5 carbon sugar Phosphate group Nitrogenous base Store and transmit hereditary info in form of DNA and RNA
Nucleotides
Sometimes play critical roles in energy transfer in body
