Macromolecules

What are organic compounds?

molecules mostly made up of carbon and hydrogen, but often containing oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous

What are macromolecules?

Complex molecules that are very large.

They are referred to as biomolecules when in living things.

What are the 4 major macromolecules?

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

What is a monomer?

a small, simple molecule that acts as a fundamental building block

What is a dimer?

two monomers

What is a trimer?

3 monomers

What is a polymer?

4+ monomers

How are macromolecules assembled?

• Condensation reaction (or dehydration synthesis reaction)

• Involves the removal of a hydrogen atom and an hydroxyl group

• The OH and H come together to make H₂O

  • produces water, so water is a product

• This process results in a covalent bond linking the subunits together

• Condensation reactions require energy to occyr

How are macromolecules disassmebled?

• Hydrolysis reaction

• A H₂O is used to break a covalent bond holding subunits together

• The H₂O provides an H atom and OH group to the subunits

  • uses water, so water is a reactant

• Hydrolysis reactions release energy in the overall process

What substance assists in condensation and hydrolysis reactions?

Enzymes which are biological catalysts, chemicals that speed up reactions without being consumed in the process