Biology Macromolecules: Monomers, Polymers, and Functions

Chapter 5

What is a monomer?

A small building block molecule that can join with others to form a polymer.

What is a polymer?

A large molecule made of repeating monomers.

Which macromolecule is not a true polymer?

Lipids.

What reaction builds polymers from monomers?

Condensation (dehydration) reaction — removes water.

What reaction breaks polymers into monomers?

Hydrolysis — adds water.

What is the monomer of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose).

What type of bond links carbohydrate monomers?

Glycosidic linkage.

What are the main functions of carbohydrates?

Energy storage and structural support.

Give examples of carbohydrates.

Starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin.

What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino acids (20 types).

What bond links amino acids?

Peptide bond.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.

What are functions of proteins?

Enzymes, structural support, signaling, defense.

Give examples of proteins.

Hemoglobin, keratin, enzymes like amylase.

What is the monomer of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides (sugar + phosphate + nitrogenous base).

What bond links nucleotides?

Phosphodiester bond.

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Store and transmit genetic information.

Give examples of nucleic acids.

DNA and RNA.

Are lipids polymers?

No, they are not true polymers.

What are the main components of fats?

Glycerol + fatty acids.

What type of bond links glycerol to fatty acids?

Ester linkage.

What are the types of lipids?

Fats, phospholipids, steroids.

What are functions of lipids?

Long-term energy storage, cell membranes, hormones.

Give examples of lipids.

Triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol.

What is the structure of DNA?

Double-stranded, antiparallel, and complementary strands.

What is the directionality of DNA strands?

They have distinct 5' → 3' directionality.

What does DNA code for?

Traits; contains instructions for making RNA.

What sugar is found in DNA?

Deoxyribose (a pentose sugar).

What is the structure of RNA?

Single-stranded (no complementary strand).

Can RNA base pair with itself?

Yes, base pairing within the strand creates 3D structures.

What is RNA’s role?

Template for making proteins (via translation).

What sugar is found in RNA?

Ribose (a pentose sugar).

What is a nucleotide?

Monomer of nucleic acids; composed of sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

What charge does the phosphate group give nucleotides?

Negative charge.

What part of the nucleotide makes one different from another?

The nitrogenous base.

How many nitrogenous bases are there?

Five: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil.

Which bases are pyrimidines?

Single-ring bases: cytosine, thymine, uracil.

Which bases are purines?

Double-ring bases: adenine, guanine.

Which type of base pairs with which?

Purines pair with pyrimidines.

Which bases pair in DNA?

C-G and A-T.

Which bases pair in RNA?

C-G and A-U (no thymine in RNA).