1.4 Macromolecules

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the four major macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates), their structures, functions, and monomers as described in the lecture notes.

Macromolecules

Large, complex molecules essential for life, composed of smaller units; the four main types include proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids that perform vital functions in organisms.

Monomers

The simplest building blocks of larger macromolecules, which cannot be broken down into smaller units without losing their essential properties.

Polymers

Large molecules formed by chemically linking multiple monomers together; they can be linear or branched structures that determine the properties of macromolecules.

Proteins (Polypeptides)

Biological macromolecules formed from long chains of amino acids; they are crucial for structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs, comprising over 50% of a cell's dry mass.

Enzymes

Specialized proteins that act as biological catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions in cells by lowering activation energy and increasing reaction rates.

Antibodies

Specialized proteins produced by the immune system that specifically bind to and neutralize foreign pathogens, providing protection against infections.

Amino Acid

An organic compound characterized by a carboxyl group and an amino group; acts as the fundamental monomer of proteins, linking together to form polypeptides.

R Group (Side Chain)

The specific chemical group attached to the backbone of an amino acid that varies among the 20 different amino acids, influencing their properties and behaviors.

Essential Amino Acids

Nine specific amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from dietary sources for proper cellular function and protein synthesis.

Nucleic Acids

Biopolymers, primarily DNA and RNA, that store and transmit genetic information, guiding the synthesis of proteins and controlling cellular activities.

Gene

A specific sequence of DNA that encodes instructions for making a particular protein; functions as the basic unit of heredity.

Histones

Proteins that play a crucial role in packaging DNA into structural units called nucleosomes, allowing DNA to be tightly coiled and fit within the cell nucleus.

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific hydrogen bonding pattern between nucleotide bases in DNA; Adenine ($A$) pairs with Thymine ($T$), and Guanine ($G$) pairs with Cytosine ($C$).

Nucleotide Structure

The fundamental structural unit of nucleic acids, comprising a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base, which connects to form DNA or RNA.

Purines

A category of nucleotides with a two-ring nitrogenous base structure, including Adenine and Guanine, essential components of nucleic acids.

Pyrimidines

A class of nucleotides characterized by a single-ring structure, including Cytosine, Thymine (in DNA), and Uracil (in RNA), important for base pairing.

Central Dogma of Biology

The foundational principle describing the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic molecules that are nonpolar, do not dissolve in water, and include fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids with key roles in energy storage and cellular structure.

Steroids

A type of lipid characterized by a core structure of four fused carbon rings; they can serve as signaling hormones (e.g., testosterone, estrogen) or structural components in cell membranes.

Triglycerides

The main form of stored energy in animals, composed of a glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid chains; they serve as a significant energy reserve.

Phospholipids

Amphipathic molecules that form the fundamental structure of cell membranes, featuring a hydrophilic phosphate head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A type of fatty acid where each carbon atom is fully saturated with hydrogen atoms, resulting in a straight chain that is typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid that contains one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, causing kinks in the chain; it is usually liquid at room temperature.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of sugar molecules, serving as energy sources and structural components in living organisms, ranging from simple sugars to complex starches and fiber.

Monosaccharide

The most basic form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units such as glucose, fructose, or galactose, that serve as energy sources for cells.

Glucose

A simple sugar and primary energy source for most biological cells, utilized in cellular respiration to produce ATP.

Starch

A polysaccharide used by plants to store energy; it consists of long chains of glucose molecules and is a major component of human and animal diets.

Glycogen

A highly branched polysaccharide that serves as the primary storage form of glucose in animals, predominantly found in liver and muscle tissues.

Cellulose

A complex polysaccharide that provides structural support in plant cell walls, composed of long chains of glucose units linked together.