BIOG251 Chapter 1.2: Macromolecules

Covers the 4 main macromolecules.

Monomer

The single-unit building block of macromolecules

Polymer

Chains of monomers

Carbohydrates

Good for quick energy, store energy and nutrients, provide structural support

Monosaccharide

Carbohydrate monomer

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrate polymer

Lipids

Fats, good for long term storage, have many different types with different purposes

Triglyceride

Storage lipid, good for long-term storage, made of a glycerol bound to fatty acids

Phospholipid

Have a hydrophillic head and a hydrophobic tail, make up the cell membrane

Proteins

The most prominent macromolecule, its shape determines its function

Amino acids

Protein monomer

Peptide

Protein polymer

Primary structure of proteins

The type, number, and order of amino acids in a chain

Secondary structure of proteins

Functional groups form hydrogen bonds

Tertiary structure of proteins

Bonds between functional groups

Quaternary structure of proteins

Polypeptides form an entire protein

Nucleic acids

The hereditary molecule

Nucleotides

Nucleic acid monomer

DNA and RNA

Nucleic acid polymer