Questions I need to work for the macromolecules

Describe the structure and function of the polysaccharides starch and glycogen, and identify where they are found within an organism

The polysaccharides have a long chain of sugars bonded together. Starch and Glycogen are synthesized and stored. For Plants, it is stored in the roots and seeds, and for glucose, it is in the liver and muscles.

List the two main biological functions of polysaccharides

Energy storage and Structural Support

steroids

makes cholesterol, Vitamin D, many hormones

List the components of a triglyceride (fat)

Provide at least 3 reasons why organisms store fat (AKA why is it important biologically!)

Energy Storage, Insulation, Protection and cushion of the organs

• List two main roles of cholesterol in the body

Components for the cell membrane

Precursor for hormones

• Describe the characteristic structure of a steroid

Two carbon rings, a carbon chain, and a purine

• List the three main components of a nucleotide

Nitrogen base, Five-carbon sugar, Phosphate

• Nucleic acid chains have polarity; given the structure of a nucleic acid, determine which end of the strand is the 5’ end and which is the 3’ end.

5’ end-free phosphate group

3’ end- free hydroxyl group (-OH)

• List the components of an amino acid

Carboxyl group

Hydrogen 

R-group 

Amino group

• Describe what type of bonds contribute to secondary structure of proteins. Then, specify whether these bonds take place within the “backbone” of the polypeptide, or between R-groups of amino acids in the polypeptide.

Hydrogen bonding found in the backbone of the polypeptide.

• Describe the variety of bonds and interactions that contribute to tertiary structure of a protein. Then, specific whether these bonds take place within the “backbone” of the polypeptide, or between R-groups of amino acids in the polypeptide.

Hydrogen, Ionic, hydrophobic, Disulfide, Van der Waals force.

• Describe quaternary structure of protein folding

Overall 3D arrangement of multiple polypeptide bonds to form a protein.

• Define “denaturation” in the context of proteins

the process in which a protein loses its native 3D structure (secondary, tertiary, or quaternary) without breaking its primary sequence.

• List conditions that can cause a protein to denature

Heat, pH changes, chemicals (like urea or detergents), or heavy metals can disrupt hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions.

• Identify which level of protein structure (1-4) remains when a protein is denatured

The primary structure

• List the different functions that proteins have in the body and provide an example of each

Structural support, Enzymatic activity, transport, defense, movement, signaling, storage, regulation

• Differentiate between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions

• Define monomer and polymer

• List the monomer and polymer for each of the macromolecule categories (remember, lipids do not have a true monomer)

• Describe the general structure and function of carbohydrates

• Determine whether simple sugars are soluble in water, and why? (hint: is a sugar a polar or non-polar molecule?)

• Define “isomer” and provide an example

• Distinguish between ribose and deoxyribose

• Define “glycosidic linkage”

• Describe the structure and function of the polysaccharides starch and glycogen, and identify where they are found within an organism

• List the two main biological functions of polysaccharides

• Identify the characteristics that all lipids have in common, despite having a diversity of structures and functions

• State whether lipids tend to be hydrophobic or hydrophilic in nature and why

• Differentiate between saturated fats and unsaturated fats

• Provide an example of foods that contain saturated vs unsaturated fats

Describe how the degree of saturated of fatty acid tails affects the fluidity of fat (i.e. whether the fat will be semi-solid or liquid at room temperature

• Define steroid

• Describe the general structure of a phospholipid

• Explain why phospholipids are referred to as “amphipathic”

• Explain how the structure of a phospholipid relates to its function in the cell membrane

• Identify the two main types of nucleic acids

• Distinguish between the sugar is found in a nucleotide of RNA vs DNA

• List the 5 options for nitrogenous bases, and understand which are found in DNA vs RNA

• Describe “complementary pairing” and identify which nitrogenous bases pair with each other

• Identify the type of bond that holds together two DNA polynucleotide strands

• Nucleic acid chains have polarity; given the structure of a nucleic acid, determine which end of the strand is the 5’ end and which is the 3’ end

• Recall the monomer of protein

• Describe the difference between the term polypeptide and protein

• Determine which component of the amino acid varies, making each amino acid distinct

• Based on the chemical structure of a side chain (R-group), determine whether an amino acid is polar, non-polar, or ionized

• Describe the primary structure of an amino acid

• List the different functions that proteins have in the body and provide an example of each