Macromolecules and Elements of Life

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering organic chemistry concepts, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Elements of Life (SPONCH)

Sulfur, Phosphorus, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen; elements that make up organic compounds.

Dehydration Synthesis

Removes a water molecule ($H_2O$) to covalently bond monomers into a polymer.

Hydrolysis

Adds a water molecule ($H_2O$) to break down polymers into individual monomers.

Monosaccharide

The monomer of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose) with the formula ratio of $C_n H_{2n} O_n$.

Starch

The form in which plants store energy.

Glycogen

The form in which animals store energy.

Cellulose

The most abundant organic compound, which forms plant cell walls.

Chitin

Structural carbohydrate that forms arthropod exoskeletons and fungal cell walls.

Lipids

Hydrophobic/nonpolar molecules used for long-term energy storage, storing $2 \times$ the energy of carbohydrates per gram.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of glycerol + 3 fatty acid chains.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with single bonds only, straight chains, and solid state at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with one or more double bonds ($C=C$), kinked chains, and liquid state at room temperature.

Phospholipids

Molecules consisting of a hydrophilic (polar) phosphate head + 2 hydrophobic (nonpolar) fatty acid tails; forms the cell membrane bilayer.

Steroids

Signaling molecules with 4 fused carbon rings (e.g., cholesterol).

Waxes

Lipids that provide protective waterproofing.

Proteins

Molecules made of C, H, O, N, S elements, built from 20 different amino acid monomers.

Primary Structure

Unique linear sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Secondary Structure

Local folding ($\alpha$-helices and $\beta$-pleated sheets) held by backbone hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

3D shape formed by R-group interactions (hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, disulfide bridges).

Quaternary Structure

Association of multiple polypeptide subunits.

Denaturation

Unfolding of a protein due to changes in pH, temperature, or salt concentration, causing loss of biological function.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules made of C, H, O, N, P elements, built from nucleotide monomers (composed of a 5-carbon sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base).