Biology Macromolecules

Carbohydrates: main function

energy storage (short term)

Carbohydrates: other uses

structure (cellulose in plants, chitin in insect exoskeletons), and signaling

Carbohydrates: found in

sugars and starches

Carbohydrates: Composed of 

C,H,O      H/O=2

Carbohydrates: Monomer

monosaccharide

Carbohydrates: monosaccharides

single sugar molecules

- Ex. glucose (main fuel for cells)

galactose (in milk)

frutose (in fruit)

Carbohydrates: polymer

disaccharide & polysaccharide

Carbohydrates: Disaccharide

2 monosaccharides bonded together

• Ex. sucrose (table sugar) = glucose + fructose

Carbohydrates: polysaccharide 

many sugar molecules bonded together to make large sugar structures.

Carbohydrates: 4 polysaccharides

• starch (how plants store sugar)

• glycogen (how animals store sugar)

• cellulose (structural support in plant cell walls.)

• chitin (exoskeletons of insects)

Lipids: main function

Energy storage (long-term)

Lipids: Other uses

Insulation, protection, and structure

Lipids: Found in

fats, waxes, oils, phospholipids (in the cell membrane), steroids

Lipids: Composed of

C, H, O (P)     H/O = 2

Lipids: monomer

fatty acids

Lipids: polymer

triglycerides

Lipids: saturated fatty acids

fully surrounded by hydrogens (no double bonds)

• solid at room temp (Ex. Butter)

Lipids: unsaturated fatty acids

contain at least one double bond

• liquid at room temp (Ex. oil)

Lipids: Phospholipids

a special kind of lipid

Lipids: structure

2 fatty acids + phosphate

Lipids: hydrophilic head

phosphate group

Lipids: hydrophobic tail

fatty acids

Lipids: phospholipid bilayer 

2 layers make up the plasma membrane of our cells.

• makes membrane selectively permeable