Macromolecules Flashcards
What are the four elements of life?
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
Define catabolism
breaking down molecules
Define anabolism
building larger molecules
What are most macromolecules made up of?
polymers, which are made of monomers
What is a carbohydrate?
contains C, H, & O; body’s most important source of energy, short term energy storage
What is a monosaccharide? Give an example.
simple sugars, ex. glucose, fructose, & galactose
What is a disaccharide? Give an example.
two monosaccharides linked together, ex. sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (galactose + glucose)
What is a polysaccharide? Give an example.
long chain of monosaccharides, ex. starch, glycogen, cellulose, & chitin
How are sugars made?
dehydration synthesis reaction (removing an H2O molecule); monosaccharides to disaccharide
How are sugars broken down?
hydrolysis reaction (using H2O to break a bond)
Why is starch digested more easily than cellulose?
glucose monomers facing same way in starch, but alternate directions in cellulose
What are lipids?
made up of C, H, & O, but mostly H; long term energy source; helps absorption of vitamins; important part of cell membranes
What are triglycerides? Give examples.
fats, oils, & waxes; saturated and unsaturated fats; waxes on leaves
What are phospholipids?
part of cell membrane; hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails
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What are steroids?
lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings, ex. cholesterol