Bio Chapter 3

Macromolecules

Large molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules.

Monomers

Single units that join together to form larger polymers through covalent bonds.

Polymers

Larger structures formed by the joining of monomers.

Dehydration Reaction

A reaction that joins monomers by releasing a water molecule and forming a covalent bond.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A reaction that breaks polymers down into monomers by using a water molecule for each bond broken.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules that are vital energy sources and provide structural support in cells.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units like glucose.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by two monosaccharides joined together, like sucrose.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharides, like starch and glycogen.

Glycosidic Bonds

Covalent bonds formed between monosaccharides during dehydration reactions.

Lipids

Nonpolar and hydrophobic macromolecules that include fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.

Triacylglycerols (Triglycerides)

Another name for fats, which are a stored form of energy composed of glycerol and fatty acids.

Phospholipids

Lipids that form the matrix of cell membranes, consisting of two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

Proteins

Macromolecules that perform diverse functions in cells, including enzymatic activity and structural support.

Amino Acids

The monomers that make up proteins, each containing a central carbon, amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and R group.

Peptide Bond

The bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules made up of nucleotides that direct cellular activities like cell division and protein synthesis.

DNA

A nucleic acid that carries genetic information and has a double-helical structure.

RNA

A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and its regulation.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.