Macromolecules Notes - Lipids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering lipids, their components, polymer concepts, and the four major macromolecule categories (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids) along with their monomers, polymers, and key reactions.

Lipids

A class of macromolecules composed of glycerol and fatty acids; no true monomer; common examples are fats, oils, and waxes; functions include energy storage and components of cell membranes.

Glycerol

The three-carbon backbone that binds fatty acids to form lipid molecules (such as triglycerides).

Fatty acids

Long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group that attach to glycerol to form lipids; contribute to energy storage and membrane structure.

No true monomer

Lipids do not have a single repeating monomer unit in the way proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids do.

Monomer

The smallest unit that can join to form a polymer.

Monomer (general concept)

A basic subunit that links to form polymers in many macromolecules (e.g., sugars, amino acids, nucleotides).

Polymer

A large molecule formed by linking many monomers together.

Monosaccharide

The monomer of carbohydrates; examples include glucose and fructose.

Carbohydrate

A macromolecule composed of sugar monomers; primary roles include quick energy storage and structural support in some organisms.

Starch

A polysaccharide in plants that stores glucose; a polymer of carbohydrates.

Proteins

Macromolecules made of amino acids; monomer is an amino acid; polymer is a polypeptide; functions include enzymes, structure, transport, and signaling.

Amino acid

The monomer of proteins; 20 standard amino acids form proteins and determine their properties.

Nucleic acids

Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information; monomer is a nucleotide; include DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

The monomer unit of nucleic acids; composed of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; polymer of nucleotides that stores genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; polymer of nucleotides involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.

Dehydration synthesis

Chemical reaction that builds polymers by removing water from monomers.

Hydrolysis

Chemical reaction that breaks polymers into monomers by adding water.

Cell membrane

A phospholipid bilayer forming the boundary of cells; lipids contribute to its structure and function.