Chapter 2.3 Biological Macromolecules Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, definitions, and concepts of biological macromolecules from the lecture notes.

Biological Macromolecules

Large organic molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules, categorized into carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon.

Inorganic Molecules

Molecules that do not contain carbon.

Carbon

The foundation element for molecules in living things.

Carbohydrates

Biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a $1:2:1$ ratio that provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose.

Monosaccharides

Single-sugar carbohydrate monomers, such as glucose and fructose.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed from two sugar units, such as lactose and sucrose.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates composed of long sugar chains, such as glycogen, starch, and cellulose.

Lipids

Water-insoluble molecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a $1:2:\text{less than }1$ ratio, consisting of glycerol and fatty acids.

Fats

Lipids stored by cells for long-term energy use that also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals.

Proteins

Abundant organic molecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen that possess the most diverse range of functions in living systems.

Amino Acids

The $20$ monomers arranged in a linear sequence that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Primary Protein Structure

The initial level of protein structure, which is determined by DNA.

Secondary Protein Structure

The level of protein structure formed by interactions between non-R groups.

Tertiary Protein Structure

The level of protein structure determined by chemical interactions between various amino acids and regions of the polypeptide.

Quaternary Protein Structure

The highest level of protein structure involving the interaction of multiple polypeptide subunits.

Peptide Bond

The covalent bond that attaches each amino acid to another amino acid.

Denaturation

The process in which a protein loses its natural shape and state due to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals.

Nucleic Acids

Key biological macromolecules composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphate that carry the genetic blueprint and operational instructions of a cell.

Nucleotides

The monomers that make up nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.