Carbohydrates and Lipids

Macromolecule

Macromolecule

Large biological molecules made up of smaller subunits bonded together. Most are polymers, consisting of many similar subunits bonded together.

Monomer

Macromolecule subunit that can exist by itself - e.g glucose

Polymers

Large molecules made up of many similar subunits bonded together. Formed through polymerization, which involves the bonding of subunits one after the other. Broken down through hydrolysis, which releases the subunits from it.

Carbohydrates

Sugars (saccharides) and their polymers. Can exist as monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides. Important for energy storage and structural support in cells.

Glucose

Most important saccharide and the principal product of photosynthesis (center of biochemical universe). Has carbonyl group, and multiple hydroxyl groups

Sucrose

most commonly eaten disaccharide

Lactose

disaccharide found in mammalian milk

Monosaccharide

A single sugar molecule that serves as the building block for carbohydrates. Have a backbone of 3, 5, or 6 carbons and can exist in linear or ring forms.

Aldose

#1 carbon with aldehyde group

Ketose

#2 carbon with keto group

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate molecule composed of two monosaccharides bonded together. Formed by dehydration between two monosaccharides through glycosidic linkage. Ex. sucrose and lactose

Polysaccharide

A complex carbohydrate molecule composed of many monosaccharide subunits bonded together. Can serve as energy storage molecules or provide structural support in cells.

Lipids

A class of molecules that are largely insoluble in water. Include fats, phospholipids, and steroids. They play important roles in energy storage, cell membrane structure, and hormone production.

Fats

Also known as triacylglycerol, composed of glycerol and fatty acids. Serve as a major energy storage molecule in cells and can be found in specialized cells. Can be saturated (no double bonds between carbons) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds). Cushion for vital organs.

Saturated Fat

Type of fatty acid. No double bond between carbons, instead more hydrogen bonds

Unsaturated Fat

Type of fatty acid. One or more double bond, fewer hydrogens

Glycerol

metabolic intermediate. three carbon compound. three fatty acids are bonded to the 3 carbons by dehydration to from ester linkages

Ester Linkage

Covalent bond between carboxyl of fatty acid and hydroxyl group of glcerol. Commonly found in lipids, formed by dehydration

Phospholipid

The basic component of cellular membranes. Has two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group attached to a glycerol

Steroid

Made of various side chains and functional groups that form a four fused ring structure. Prime model is cholesterol.

Condensation (Dehydration)

Bonds another subunit into the polymer, water molecule is released

Hydrolysis

Releases subunits from the polymer, water molecule is consumed (forms H and OH ends)