Biology Marcomolecule Notes

Carbon (C)

Can bond to itself in long chains, rings, etc.

Hydrogen (H)

The most abundant element in numbers of atoms

Nitrogen (N)

The most abundant element in the atmosphere and found in proteins and nucleic acids such as DNA

Oxygen (O)

Creates hydrogen bonds due to its electronegativity as well as an important part of biological fluids

Phosphours (P)

Important part of the building blocks of nucleic acids such as DNA as well as energy-storing molecules

Sulfur (S)

Helps proteins to form complex shapes

Carbon to hydrogen bonds

What kind of bonds do organic molecules have?

Macro

Very large

Molecule

A group of atoms that are linked by covalent bonds

Covalent bonds

What do living things need since they are complicated?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

What are the four types of macromolecules?

Monosaccharides

What are simple sugars also called?

A single ring of carbon atoms

What do simple sugars have?

Glucose and fructose

What are some examples of simple sugars?

Energy storage

What is the function of simple sugars?

Two simple sugars that are linked together

What are disaccharides?

Surcose (Table sugar)

What is an example of a disaccharide?

Energy storage

What is the function of disaccharides?

Polysaccharides

What are complex sugars also called?

Three to thousands of simple sugars linked together

What do complex sugars consist of?

Energy storage and providing strength and structure to plants, fungi, and bacterial cell walls

What is the functions of complex sugars?

Starch (found in plants), Glycogen (found in animal livers), and Cellulose (main component of wood)

What are some examples of complex sugars?

Hydrophobic

Repels water

Yes

Are all lipids hydrophobic?

Fats, oils, and waxes

What are some examples of lipids?

Triglycerides (lipids)

Made up of two parts: Fatty Acids and Glycerol

Long chains of carbon atoms

What are fatty acids?

It links fatty acids together

What does glycerol do?

Dehydration Synthesis

Glycerol has three hydroxyl groups and fatty acid has carboxyl groups

Saturated fats and unsaturated fats

What are the two main types of lipids?

Saturated Fats

Has 100% single bonds between carbon atoms and solidifies at room temperature (ex. butter)

Unsaturated Fats

Mostly single bonds, but some have double bonds and liquifies at room temperature (ex. cooking oil)

Energy storage (function of lipid)

contains more energy than the same amount of carbohydrates

Cell membranes (function of lipids)

forms a barrier around a cell that only allows certain substances through

Insulation (function of lipids)

forms a layer around the body of some organisms to trap heat

Cell messengers (function of lipids)

some hormones such as steriods are lipids

Waterproofing (function of lipids)

prevents water loss in plant leaves and fruits

Structure (function of proteins)

ligaments, tendons, and skin consists of proteins that make them strong (ex. collagen makes skin and ligaments strong)

Enzymes (function of proteins)

proteins that speed up chemical reactions inside of a cell (ex. DNA polymerase is an —— that makes DNA)

amino acids

What are proteins made up of?

Twenty

How many different types of amino acids are in cells?

The shape of a protein

What does the order of amino acids determine?

The function of the protein

What does the shape of a protein determine?

A different shape

What does collagen determine since it has a different order of amino acids than DNA polymerase?

Collagen has a long cable-like shape that links structures together

What shape does collagen have and what does it do?

So it can wrap around DNA and make it longer

Why is DNA polymerase shaped?