Bio Molecules of Life

What elements make up carbohydrates?

C, H, O

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharide

What are the main functions of monosaccharides?

Provide quick energy; easiest sugar to digest; used by mitochondria to make ATP

What is glucose and what does it do?

Monosaccharide; broken down to make ATP, the body’s main energy source

What is galactose and what does it do?

Monosaccharide; converted into glucose and is a key part of lactose (milk sugar)

What is fructose and what does it do?

Monosaccharide; metabolized in the liver to produce glucose

What is a disaccharide and how is it formed?

Double sugar made of 2 monosaccharides by dehydration synthesis (releases water)

What is sucrose and what does it do?

Disaccharide; provides energy and sweetness, found in plants (table sugar)

What is a polysaccharide and its function?

Chain of 3+ monosaccharides; stores energy and provides structural support

What is glycogen and what does it do?

Polysaccharide; short-term energy storage in animals (stored in liver and muscles)

What is cellulose and what does it do?

Polysaccharide; structural support in plants, makes up plant cell walls, not digestible by humans (fiber)

What is starch and what does it do?

Polysaccharide; energy storage in plants, digested by animals for energy

What elements make up lipids?

C, H, O

What is the basic structure of triglycerides?

3 fatty acids + 1 glycerol (E-shape)

What is the main function of triglycerides?

Long-term energy storage

What are saturated fats and what do they do?

Lipid (triglyceride); long-term energy, solid at room temperature, max hydrogen atoms

What are unsaturated fats and what do they do?

Lipid (triglyceride); long-term energy, liquid at room temperature, contain double bonds

What is the cuticle of hair/nails and what does it do?

Phospholipid/wax; protective barrier for hair and nails

What is the cuticle of a leaf and what does it do?

Phospholipid/wax; prevents water loss and protects against bacteria, fungi, and dehydration

What is cholesterol and what does it do?

Steroid; precursor molecule that can be converted into hormones and other substances

What is testosterone and what does it do?

Steroid hormone; regulates male development, reproduction, and body functions

What is estrogen and what does it do?

Steroid hormone; regulates female reproductive system, development, and many bodily functions

What is progesterone and what does it do?

Steroid hormone; prepares and maintains uterus for pregnancy

What elements make up proteins?

C, H, O, N

What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino acids (form peptides)

What are the functions of proteins?

Build skin, muscle, structure, act as hormones, neurotransmitters, antimicrobials, influence growth

What is insulin and what does it do?

Protein hormone; regulates blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells

What is oxytocin and what does it do?

Protein neurotransmitter; promotes social bonding, trust, and reproduction

What are antimicrobial proteins and what do they do?

Proteins that defend the body against bacteria, viruses, and pathogens

What are enzymes and what do they do?

Proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions

What is protease and what does it do?

Enzyme; breaks down proteins into amino acids

What is lipase and what does it do?

Enzyme; breaks down fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol

What is amylase and what does it do?

Enzyme; breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars

What elements make up nucleic acids?

C, H, O, N, P

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

Nucleotide

What is the function of DNA?

Stores genetic information, blueprint for proteins

What is nuclear DNA and what does it do?

Holds genetic blueprint for an organism; controls traits and protein production

What is mitochondrial DNA and what does it do?

Encodes proteins for energy production (ATP) in mitochondria

What is chloroplast DNA and what does it do?

Encodes proteins and RNA for photosynthesis in plants

What is RNA and what does it do?

Protein synthesis, genetic roles in bacteria

What is mRNA and what does it do?

Messenger RNA; carries instructions from DNA to ribosomes to make proteins

What is tRNA and what does it do?

Transfer RNA; brings amino acids to ribosomes to match mRNA codons during protein synthesis

What is rRNA and what does it do?

Ribosomal RNA; forms ribosomes along with proteins and builds proteins in the cell