macromolecules

What are organic molecules primarily composed of?

Significant amounts of carbon, always containing CHO (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen), and they often have covalent bonds.

What is the process through which polymers are formed?

Dehydration synthesis, which involves the removal of a water molecule to connect monomers together.

What type of reaction adds water to break down polymers?

Hydrolysis, which is the addition of a water molecule to disassemble polymers into monomers.

What is a macromolecule?

Large molecules made of repeating units or polymers.

What is the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?

1:2:1 ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen.

What are polysaccharides?

Polymers of many monosaccharides linked by dehydration synthesis, used for energy storage and structural support.

What type of lipids do not form polymers?

Lipids, which are hydrophobic and include fats, oils, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.

What distinguishes saturated fats from unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms and no double bonds between carbons, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds.

What are the components of a triglyceride?

A triglyceride is composed of glycerol and three fatty acids joined by ester linkage.

What is the role of phospholipids in cellular structure?

Phospholipids make up cell membranes, forming a bilayer arrangement due to their hydrophobic heads and tails.

What is denaturation in proteins?

Denaturation is the loss of a protein's higher structure due to factors such as heat, salt, or pH, while the primary structure remains intact.

What are the monomers of nucleic acids called?

Nucleotides.

What is the primary function of DNA?

DNA codes for the assembly of proteins.

How do purines differ from pyrimidines in nucleic acids?

Purines are made up of two rings (adenine and guanine), while pyrimidines have one ring (cytosine, thymine, and uracil).

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

DNA is double-stranded and includes thymine, while RNA is single-stranded and includes uracil.

What happens during an exergonic reaction?

More energy is released than used, typically seen when breaking polymers into monomers using hydrolysis.

What is a disaccharide?

A disaccharide is formed when two monosaccharides are joined together by covalent bonds through a dehydration reaction.

What is the relationship between amino acids and proteins?

Amino acids are the monomers of proteins, and proteins are made of one or more polypeptides.

What is the primary structure of a protein determined by?

The order of the amino acids sequence coded by DNA.

What defines the tertiary structure of a protein?

Interactions between R groups of amino acids, including hydrogen, ionic, and covalent bonding.

What is the primary energy molecule in cells?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

What is the significance of hydrolysis in metabolism?

Hydrolysis is crucial for breaking down polymers into monomers, releasing energy stored in bonds.

What characterizes lipoproteins?

Lipoproteins are complex molecules made of proteins and lipids that carry lipids in the blood.