Biological Macromolecules and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the four major classes of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins) alongside their monomers, polymers, main atoms, functions, and enzyme activation energy.

Carbohydrates

Biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a 2-1 ratio. Their main function is quick/short term energy, with other functions including cell structure and cell recognition.

Monosaccharides

The monomer building blocks of carbohydrates.

Polysaccharides

The polymer form of carbohydrates.

Glucose

An example of a monosaccharide carbohydrate formed in the chloroplast of plants.

Lipids

Biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. Their main function is long-term energy storage, with other functions including insulation, protection, cell membranes, and hormones.

Glycerol + Fatty Acids

The monomers of lipids.

Lipid Polymer

Lipids have no polymer (NONE).

Smooth ER

The organelle in which fats are formed.

Nucleic Acids

Biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen (CHON). Their main function is to store and transmit genetic information.

Nucleotides

The monomer building blocks of nucleic acids.

DNA/RNA

The polymer form of nucleic acids that contains instructions for making proteins and handles heredity.

Protein

Biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and sometimes Sulfur (CHONP(s)). Their main function is to perform cellular functions.

Amino Acids

The monomer building blocks of proteins.

Polypeptide

The polymer form of proteins.

Activation Energy

The energy needed to start a reaction, which is lowered when an enzyme is present compared to when no enzyme is present.

Macromolecule Functional Summary

Carbs = Energy NOW; Lipids = Energy LATER; Proteins = DO the WORK; Nucleic Acids = INFORMATION.