Structure and Function of Large Biological Macromolecules

These flashcards cover key concepts about large biological macromolecules, including their types, structures, functions, and reactions.

What are macromolecules?

Large molecules necessary for life, built from smaller organic molecules.

Name the four major classes of biological macromolecules.

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic acids.

What is the process of joining monomers to form polymers called?

Dehydration synthesis.

What occurs during hydrolysis?

Polymers are broken into their monomeric units.

What types of bonds primarily link monomers together to form polymers?

Covalent bonds.

How do enzymes function in biochemical reactions?

Enzymes speed up reactions without being consumed.

What are monosaccharides?

Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose.

How are disaccharides formed?

When two monosaccharides undergo a dehydration reaction to form glycosidic bonds.

What is a polysaccharide?

A complex carbohydrate made of long chains of monosaccharides.

What is the structural difference between starch and cellulose?

Starch has α-glycosidic bonds, while cellulose has β-glycosidic bonds.

What type of bond does glycogen consist of?

α-glycosidic linkages, making it highly branched.

What is the main function of cellulose?

To provide structural support in plant cell walls.

What are lipids primarily composed of?

Fatty acids and glycerol.

What is the primary role of triglycerides?

Energy storage.

What are phospholipids?

Molecules that form the bilayer of cell membranes, composed of two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

What defines a steroid?

A compound with four fused carbon ring structures.

What role does cholesterol play in the body?

It is a precursor for steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile salts.

What are the functions of proteins?

They serve as enzymes, structural components, transport molecules, and perform regulatory functions.

How are amino acids linked together?

By peptide bonds to form polypeptides.

What determines a protein's unique structure?

The sequence and number of amino acids in the polypeptide chain.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.

What is denaturation in proteins?

A change in protein shape due to environmental factors like temperature and pH.

What are nucleic acids composed of?

Polymers known as polynucleotides, made of nucleotides.

What are the two main types of nucleic acids?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)?

To carry information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

DNA → RNA → Protein.