UNIT 1: MACROMOLECULES

Macromolecules (Polymers)

large, chain-like molecules made of smaller subunits

4 main macromolecules

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins

Carbohydrates Monomer

monosaccharides (simple sugars)

Carbohydrates Elements

CHO (1:2:1)

Carbohydrates Structure/Functional Groups

linear or ring shaped; carbonyl and hydroxyl groups

Carbohydrates Function

cellular respiration (energy), short term stored energy (starch, glycogen) and structure of materials (cellulose, chitin)

Carbohydrates Bond

monosaccharides joined together via covalent bond (glycosidic linkage)

Carbohydrates Examples

monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), disaccharide (maltose, sucrose, lactose)

Types of Polysaccharides

cellulose and chitin

Cellulose

major component in cell walls; every other glucose monomer is flipped upside down

Chitin

found in the exoskeletons of arthropods (insects, crustaceans); similar structure to cellulose but contains nitrogen for strength and protection

Lipids

hydrophobic and grouped together

Lipid Monomer

no true but fats made of fatty acids and glycerol

Lipid Element

CHOP (few O, sometimes contains P)

Lipid Structure/Functional Groups

hydroxyl and carboxyl groups

Lipid Function

make up cell membrane, long term stored energy, cushioning, protection, insulation, water barrier

Lipid Bonds

bonded via ester linkage

Lipid Examples

fats (triglycerides), oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids, and pigments

Fats

triglyceride, made up of glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules

Saturated Fats (Fatty Acid)

No double bonds, allowing maximum hydrogen attachment to the carbon skeleton; most animal fats, solid at room temp

Unsaturated Fats

1 or more double bonds (kink) → fewer hydrogen atoms; plant and fish oils, liquid at room temp

What do phospholipids consist of?

consists of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate head

How are phospholipids structured?

tails are nonpolar, phosphate head is polar + orient away from water, forming a lipid bilayer

Steroids

nonpolar, 4-fused carbon rings

Cholesterol

steroid in animal cell membrane

Nucleic Acids Monomer

nucleotides

Nucleic Acid Elements

CHNOP

Nucleic Acid Structure/Functional Groups

phosphate and hydroxyl groups, DNA (double helix), sugar-phosphate backbone

Nucleic Acid Function

stores + transmits genetic information and instructs on building proteins

Nucleic Acid Bonds

phosphodiester linkages

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

deoxyribose sugar and a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine); double stranded

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

ribose sugar and nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil); single stranded

Protein Monomer

amino acids

Protein Elements

CHONS

Protein Structure/Functional Groups

20 different amino acids; central carbon surrounded by amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen, and an R group

Protein Function

diverse; serve as enzymes, transport, fight diseases, and storage

Protein Bonds

peptide bonds connect amino acids, forming b/w carboxyl groups of adjacent amino acids

Polypeptide

a chain of amino acids

R-Group

differs in each of the 20 amino acids, determining if it’s polar, nonpolar, or charged

Where does the R-Group attach?

attaches to central carbon, a carbon or hydrogen atom is attached to the rest

N-Terminus

first amino group, providing function and stability

C-Terminus

last carboxyl group