Biomolecules (Macromolecules)

Carbohydrate

Provides quick energy; made of monosaccharides (simple sugars).

Monosaccharide

Simple sugar; the building block (monomer) of carbohydrates.

Polysaccharide

Long chain of sugars; complex carbohydrates like starch, glycogen, cellulose.

Examples of Carbohydrates

Bread, pasta, rice, fruits.

Lipid

Long-term energy storage; also makes up cell membranes; made of fatty acids and glycerol.

Examples of Lipids

Fats, oils, waxes, steroids.

Protein

Builds and repairs body structures; speeds up chemical reactions (enzymes); made of amino acids.

Examples of Proteins

Meat, eggs, beans, enzymes.

Nucleic Acid

Stores genetic information; made of nucleotides.

Examples of Nucleic Acids

DNA and RNA.

Monomer

The basic building block of a macromolecule (e.g. amino acid, nucleotide).

Polymer

A chain of monomers (e.g. protein, DNA, starch).

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions; lowers activation energy.

Elements in Carbohydrates

C, H, O (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen) — in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Elements in Lipids

C, H, O (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen) — more C and H, fewer O.

Elements in Proteins

C, H, O, N (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen).

Elements in Nucleic Acids

C, H, O, N, P (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus).

Starch

Polysaccharide stored in plants for energy.

Glycogen

Polysaccharide stored in animals for energy.

Cellulose

Polysaccharide that makes up plant cell walls (not digestible by humans).