Macromolecules

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and examples related to macromolecules, their functions, and their structures.

Macromolecule

A large organic molecule made up of smaller building blocks called monomers.

Organic Compounds

Compounds that contain carbon.

Polymers

Large organic molecules also known as macromolecules.

Monomers

The smaller building blocks that make up macromolecules.

Dehydration Synthesis

A process that forms polymers by combining monomers by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A process that separates monomers by adding water.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrate, consisting of a single sugar unit.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharide units.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate made up of many monosaccharide units.

Examples of monosaccharides

Glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Examples of disaccharides

Sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Examples of polysaccharides

Starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Lipids

A general term for compounds that are not soluble in water.

Functions of lipids

Storage of energy, protection against heat loss, protection against physical shock, protection against water loss, and serving as chemical messengers.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of one glycerol and three fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds; often considered unhealthy.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds; often considered healthier.

Proteins

Polypeptides composed of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds.

Functions of proteins

Storage, transport, regulatory functions, movement, structural roles, and enzymatic reactions.

Nucleic acids

Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information; include DNA and RNA.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a double helix structured nucleic acid.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, which is single-stranded.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, sugar, and nitrogenous base.

Nitrogenous bases in DNA

Adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

Nitrogenous bases in RNA

Adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

Phosphate group

A functional group that consists of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.

Pentose sugar

A five-carbon sugar, such as deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA.