Carbon Based Molecules (Biomolecules)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the structure, functions, monomers, polymers, and examples of the four major classes of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids).

Carbon

Carbon is an element found in all living things and is the foundation of many biological molecules. Each carbon atom can form up to four covalent bonds, allowing it to form chains, branched chains and rings

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are carbon-based compounds, usually containing carbon, hydrogen bonds, that may also contain oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur.

Inorganic Compounds

Inorganic compounds are compounds that are generally not classified as organic compounds. Examples include water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sodium chloride (NaCl).

Macromolecules

Macromolecules are large biological molecules that are formed when smaller molecules bond together. The four major biological groups are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

Monomer

A monomer is a small molecule that can bond with other molecules to form a larger molecule, such as a polymer.("mono" meaning one, "mer" meaning molecule).

Polymer

A polymer is a large molecule made of many smaller subunits, often repeating units called monomers, joined by chemical bonds. ("poly" meaning many, "mer" meaning molecule).

Carbohydrates (Saccharides)

Carbohydrates are biomolecules made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, usually in a 1:2:1 ratio. They provide fast energy, short-term energy storage and structural support in plant cell walls.

Monosaccharide

A monosaccharide is a single sugar molecule, such as glucose, that can act as a building block for larger carbohydrates.

Elements of Carbohydrate

C,H,O

Glucose

Glucose is a monosaccharide and a immediate source of energy in plants and humans

Disaccharide

A disaccharide is a sugar formed when two monosaccharides bond together. Examples include sucrose, maltose and lactose.

Polysaccharide

A polysaccharide is a complex carbohydrate made of many monosaccharides bonded together or 3 or more sugars. Examples include starch, glycogen and cellulose.

Starch

A complex polysaccharide in which plants store energy, then when plants need energy they break the starch down into sugars.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide. Animals/humans store excess glucose as glycogen, mainly in the liver and muscles, then broken down to be used when needed.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide that strengthens plant cell walls. Humans cannot digest it, so it contributes to dietary fiber.

Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber is the part of plant food that human digestive enzymes cannot fully break down. It helps support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.

Lipids

Lipids are a diverse group of mostly nonpolar biomolecules that are not soluble in water they have C,H,O. They include fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids and steroids. There functions include long-term energy storage, insulation, waterproofing, forming cell membranes and hormone production.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are chains of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. It is used to also make the monomer for triglycerides which is one glycerol 3 fatty acids.

Saturated Fat

Saturated fatty acids contain no carbon–carbon double bonds in their hydrocarbon chains. Their carbon–carbon bonds are all single bonds, allowing the chains to hold the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

Unsaturated Fat

contain fewer hydrogen atoms due to presence of double bonds between carbon atom. C=C

Trans Fats

Trans fats are unsaturated fats in which the hydrogen atoms around a carbon–carbon double bond are on opposite sides. Industrial trans fats have been used in some processed foods and are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Cis Unsaturated Fat

Cis unsaturated fatty acids have hydrogen atoms on the same side of a carbon–carbon double bond. This arrangement often creates a bend in the chain. Many common unsaturated fats, including those in olive oil, have cis double bonds.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of steroid lipid. Steroids include cholesterol and hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

Examples of lipids

Fats/ Triglycerides, oils, phospholipids, waxes and steroids and. Fats that are liquid at room temperature are called oils. Steroids include cholesterol and hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids are major part of cell membranes.

Steroids

(Includes cholesterol and hormones like testosterone)

Waxes

(Used for waterproofing and protection)

Proteins

Proteins are diverse biological molecules made of amino acids. They contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen; some also contain sulfur. Their functions include catalyzing chemical reactions, providing structural support, transporting substances, protecting the body and regulating cell functions.

Amino Acids (monomer for protein)

Amino acids are the building blocks/monomer of proteins. Each has a central carbon bonded to a hydrogen atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group and a variable R group. There are 20 amino acids, and our slides state that 12 can be made by the body.

Examples of Protien’s functions

• Insulin: helps regulate blood glucose levels.

• Keratin: a structural protein found in hair and nails.

• Enzymes: speed up chemical reactions.

• Melanin: a pigment that contributes to skin and hair color; it is not a protein.

• Hemoglobin: allows red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Peptide Bond

A peptide bond is a covalent bond that joins amino acids together. Peptide bonds form polypeptide chains, which make up proteins. Forming a peptide bond releases a water molecule.

Monomer and polymer for protein.

Monomer: Amino Acids Polymer: Polypeptide chain

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions. Amylase is found in saliva, lactase breaks down lactose in milk, and pepsin is found in the stomach.

Hemoglobin

A transport protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are large biological molecules made of nucleotides. They contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus. Their functions are to store genetic information and direct the synthesis of proteins. Examples include DNA and RNA. • Nucleic acids made up of nucleotides (sugar, base, phosphate group. (Ex; DNA/RNA). The elements include: C, H, O, N AND P.

Nucleotide

A nucleotide is the building block of nucleic acids. It consists of a five-carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is usually a double-stranded molecule that stores genetic information and has instructions for the cell also passes instructions from parents to offspring. It contains deoxyribose sugar and the bases A,T,C,G. DNA is found in the cell’s nucleus. DNA contains information, on our characteristics and instructions used by cells to make proteins.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose sugar and nitrogenous bases A, G, C, and U RNA carries a copy of genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes, where the instructions are used to make proteins. Each cell will not need to use the whole DNA as he each cell has different jobs (skin, nervous etc.). As all cells make protein, but different ones based on the cell type/ jobs.

Ribosomes

Ribosomes are structures where proteins are made. They read the instructions carried by RNA and join amino acids together in the correct order to form a polypeptide chain for the specific protein the cell needs.

Simple Sugars

Simple sugars are carbohydrates that provide fast energy. Glucose is a monosaccharide and a major source of energy in cells.

Complex Sugars

Complex sugars are polysaccharides made of three or more sugar units. They provide slow energy and include starch, glycogen and cellulose.

Fats /Triglycerides

A triglyceride is a type of lipid made of one glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acids. Triglycerides are a major form of long-term energy storage in animals and are found in dietary fats and oils.