UNIT 1- Macromolecules

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts related to macromolecules, their structures, and functions.

Macromolecules

Large, complex molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction that joins monomers together by removing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that uses water to break bonds in polymers.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules made up of sugar monomers, serving as a primary energy source and providing structural support.

Lipids

Nonpolar macromolecules including fats, oils, and steroids, primarily used for energy storage and membrane structure.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acids that perform various functions including enzyme catalysis, signaling, and structural support.

Nucleic Acids

Biopolymers such as DNA and RNA that store and transmit genetic information.

Amino Acids

The monomers that make up proteins, consisting of an amino group, carboxyl group, and a variable R group.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Saturation

Refers to the presence of double bonds in fatty acids; saturated fats have no double bonds, while unsaturated fats do.

Antiparallel Strands

Refers to the orientation of the two strands of DNA running in opposite directions, one 5' to 3' and the other 3' to 5'.

Primary Structure of Proteins

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain that determines the protein's final shape.

Quaternary Structure of Proteins

A structure formed by the association of multiple polypeptide chains into a single functional protein.

Hydrophobic Interactions

Interactions between nonpolar side chains in proteins that help stabilize the protein's structure.

Base Pairing in DNA

The specific pairing between nitrogenous bases (A-T and G-C) that holds the two strands of DNA together.

Functions of RNA

Transfers genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.