Macromolecules Study Guide

A collection of flashcards covering essential vocabulary related to macromolecules including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, based on the provided lecture notes.

Nucleic Acids

Store and transmit hereditary information; examples include DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

Monomer of nucleic acids consisting of a nitrogen base, pentose sugar, and phosphate group.

Phosphate group

A group consisting of phosphorus bonded to four oxygen atoms; part of nucleotides.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a double helix structure that carries genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis.

Purines

Nitrogen bases with a double-ring structure; adenine (A) and guanine (G) are examples.

Pyrimidines

Nitrogen bases with a single-ring structure; cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U) are examples.

Phosphodiester bond

Covalent bond linking the sugar and phosphate group in nucleic acids.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds that hold complementary DNA strands together; important for base pairing.

Protein

Polymers of amino acids that serve a variety of functions in organisms.

Amino acid

Monomer of proteins consisting of a central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, and R group.

Peptide bond

Covalent bond linking the amino group of one amino acid to the carboxyl group of another.

Triglycerides

Fats composed of glycerol and three fatty acids; used for energy storage.

Phospholipid

A lipid consisting of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group; forms cell membranes.

Glycosidic bond

Covalent bond linking sugar monomers in carbohydrates.

Monosaccharide

Single sugar unit (e.g., glucose, ribose).

Disaccharide

Two sugar units linked by a glycosidic bond (e.g., sucrose, lactose).

Polysaccharide

Long chains of monosaccharides; can be linear or branched (e.g., starch, cellulose).

Denaturation

The unfolding of a protein that disrupts its 3D shape and function.