Semester Exam: macromolecules/ functions Flashcards
carbohydrates
Sugars and starches
Contain C, H, and O [(CH20)n]
Three classes
three classes of carbohydrates
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
carbohydrates functions
Major source of cellular fuel (e.g., glucose)
Structural molecules
monosaccharides
Simple sugars containing carbon atoms
Disaccharides
Double sugars
Too large to pass through cell membranes
polysaccharides
Polymers of simple sugars, e.g., starch and glycogen
Not very soluble
Lipids
Contain C, H, O, P
insoluable in water
main types of lipids
triglycerides
Phospholipids
Steroids
Eicosanoids
Triglycerides
fats—solid fats and liquid oils
Composed of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol molecule
triglyceride functions
Energy storage
Insulation
Protection
Saturated fatty acids
Single bonds between C atoms; maximum number of H
Solid animal fats, butter
Unsaturated fatty acids
One or more double bonds between C atoms
Reduced number of H atoms
Plant oils
Phospholipids
Modified triglycerides:
Glycerol + two fatty acids and a phosphorus (P)-containing group
“Head” and “tail” regions have different properties
Steroids
Steroids—interlocking four-ring structure
Cholesterol, vitamin D, steroid hormones, and bile salts
Eicosanoids
Many different ones
Derived from a fatty acid (arachidonic acid) in cell membranes