Lecture 1 - Introduction to Macromolecules

Macromolecule

A large molecule

four major macromolecules

Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids, Lipids

Carbohydrates function (3)

major energy sources, energy storage in cells, structural components in cells

monomer of carbohydrate

Monosaccharide

polymer of carbohydrate

disaccharide and polysaccharides

Key carbohydrate involved in cellular respiration

Gucose

carbohydrate structure

Composed of six carbon atoms attached to hydroxyl groups and hydrogens.

examples of monosaccharides

glucose

examples of polysaccharides

starch, glycogen, cellulose

starch function

energy storage in plants and algae

glycogen function

energy storage in animals and bacteria

cellulose function

plant cell walls

Dehydration Synthesis

forming polymers, with the removal of water.

Hydrolysis

breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Protein function (5)

structural components of cells

cellular mobility

helps transport substance in and out of cell

regulate chemical reactions and processes

enzymes are proteins that speed up reactions

monomer of proteins

amino acids

polymers of proteins and bond used

polypeptides with peptide bonds

Amino Acid structure

an amino group, carboxyl group, and a side chain

primary structure of protein

sequence of amino acids

secondary structure of protein

folding patterns to form alpha helices OR beta sheets held together by hydrogen bonds

tertiary structure of protein

3D shape determined by interactions between R groups.

quaternary structure of protein

Combination of multiple polypeptide chains into one functional proteins

Denaturation

unfolding of proteins, resulting in a loss of function

Nucleic Acids functions

store hereditary information, RNA builds proteins

DNA functions

store hereditary information to build and control cells and some viruses

RNA functions

store hereditary information to build and control viruses, protein synthesis

monomer of nucleic acids

nucleotide

polymer of nucleotide

DNA, RNA

structure of nucleotide

sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous bases

DNA’s 3’ end contains

OH

DNA’s 5’ end contains

phosphate

Transcription

copying DNA sequence into mRNA

mRNA

copy of genes that encodes proteins

Translation

decoding mRNA sequence into chain of amino acids (protein)

rRNA

part of ribosomes

tRNA

delivers amino acids to ribosome

Lipids

hydrophobic macromolecules that are insoluble in water

phospholipids function

major component of cell membrane

phospholipids structure

phosphate group, glycerol, and 2 fatty acids

Triglyceride function

a long-term energy storage form.

Triglyceride structure

one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids

Steroids

strengthens cell membrane

steroids structure

a four carbon ring structure

examples of steroids

cholesterol, hopene