MC IA- BIOLOGY

Poly-

A prefix meaning "many."

Mono-

A prefix meaning "one," as in monosaccharide, the smallest unit of saccharides.

Di-

A prefix meaning "two."

Meros

A Greek term meaning "part."

Carbon

An element with four electrons in its outer shell that forms four covalent bonds.

Macromolecules

Large molecules formed by joining smaller organic molecules together.

Monomers

Small compounds that serve as building blocks for larger molecules.

Polymers

Molecules made from repeating units of identical or nearly identical compounds (monomers).

Carbohydrates

One of the four major categories of biological macromolecules, primarily serving as the main energy source of the body.

Lipids

Biological macromolecules primarily made up of carbon and hydrogen, mainly for energy storage.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, essential for growth and repair.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information (DNA and RNA).

Condensation Reaction

A process (dehydration synthesis) where water is removed to join monomers together.

Hydrolysis

A reaction where water is added to break down polymers.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up biological reactions by lowering activation energy.

Substrate

The specific molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Saturated Lipids

Lipids containing all single bonds, typically found in meats and dairy products.

Unsaturated Lipids

Lipids containing at least one double bond.

Polyunsaturated Lipids

Lipids containing several double bonds.

Steroids

A type of lipid composed of four fused carbon rings, including cholesterol and hormones.

Phospholipids

Lipids that make up cell membranes, having hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of combinations of five types:uracil, cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins that bond together to form peptides.

Peptides

Chains formed by the bonding of amino acids.

Polypeptides

Large chains formed from combinations of peptides, making up proteins.

Protein Structure

The organization of proteins into primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.

Functions of Proteins

Include speeding up reactions, providing structural support, transporting substances, and making hormones.

Importance of Macromolecules

Carbohydrates provide energy, lipids store energy, proteins support growth and repair, and nucleic acids are essential for genetic information.