1.3 INTRODUCTION TO MACROMOLECULES

What are macromolecules?

Large, complex molecules made from smaller subunits (monomers).

Name the four major types of biological macromolecules.

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids.

Which macromolecules are polymers?

Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids.

What are monomers?

Small repeating units that build polymers.

What reaction forms polymers from monomers?

Dehydration or condensation reaction.

What reaction breaks polymers into monomers?

Hydrolysis reaction.

What are examples of carbohydrate monomers?

Glucose, fructose.

What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino acids

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides

Are lipids polymers?

No, they are not true polymers.

What element is unique to proteins and nucleic acids

Nitrogen (N).

What elements are common in all macromolecules

carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).

What additional element is found in nucleic acids?

Phosphorus (P)

What are the two types of reactions involving macromolecules?

Dehydration and hydrolysis

Why are macromolecules important?

They are essential for structure and function in organisms.

What is a polymer chain?

A long chain of monomers linked by covalent bonds.

What kind of bond forms between carbohydrate monomers?

Glycosidic linkage.

What kind of bond links amino acids

Peptide bond.

What kind of bond links nucleotides?

Phosphodiester bond.

What determines a polymer's function?

The sequence and type of monomers.