BIOL 100 - Topic 4 Biological Macromolecules

Macromolecules

Large, complex molecules essential for life; include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Monomer

Small molecular unit that can join with others to form a polymer.

Polymer

Large molecule made up of repeating monomer subunits.

Dehydration Synthesis

Chemical reaction that builds polymers by removing water and forming bonds between monomers.

Hydrolysis

Chemical reaction that breaks polymers into monomers by adding water and breaking bonds.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (1:2:1 ratio); main source of quick energy.

Monosaccharide

Simple sugar; basic unit of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, fructose).

Disaccharide

Two monosaccharides bonded together (e.g., sucrose, lactose).

Polysaccharide

Long chain of monosaccharides; used for energy storage or structure (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose).

Starch

Polysaccharide used by plants for energy storage; digestible by humans.

Glycogen

Polysaccharide used by animals to store energy in liver and muscles.

Cellulose

Polysaccharide used by plants for structure in cell walls; indigestible by humans (fiber).

Lipids

Nonpolar macromolecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and little oxygen; used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and membranes.

Fatty Acids

Long hydrocarbon chains; can be saturated or unsaturated; monomers of lipids.

Saturated Fat

Fatty acid with no double bonds; straight chains; solid at room temperature (e.g., butter).

Unsaturated Fat

Fatty acid with one or more double bonds; bent chains; liquid at room temperature (e.g., olive oil).

Phospholipid

A lipid with a phosphate group; forms the bilayer of cell membranes.

Triglyceride

Lipid molecule made of 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids; major form of fat in the body.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of amino acids; used for structure, enzymes, transport, and more.

Amino Acid

Monomer of proteins; 20 different kinds; have an amino group, carboxyl group, and R group.

Peptide Bond

Covalent bond between amino acids formed by dehydration synthesis.

Polypeptide

Chain of amino acids; folds into a functional protein.

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy; acts as a catalyst.

Denaturation

Structural change in a protein caused by heat, pH, or chemicals that makes it nonfunctional.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information; include DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

Monomer of nucleic acids; consists of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; double-stranded molecule that stores genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; single-stranded molecule involved in protein synthesis.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; energy-carrying nucleotide used in cellular processes.