Biological Macromolecules

Vocabulary flashcards about macromolecules, carbon bonding, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, based on lecture notes.

Macromolecules

Large molecules needed for life, built from smaller organic molecules and make up most of a cells dry mass.

"Carbon-based" life

Life is built from carbon atoms bonded to other carbon atoms or elements like hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.

Why Carbon is Special

Can form 4 covalent bonds, creating strong and diverse molecules. Bonds with itself (Carbon chains and rings) and other elements forming complex structures.

Carbon’s Bonding Properties

Long chains, Rings, Branches and Double/triple bonds, which enables the complex molecules that make up Cells, Tissues, and Organisms.

Carbon atoms can bond with

Forms long chains or branched structures, other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus and to themselves to form rings, which can connect with additional rings.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules essential for energy and biological functions, structural support (e.g., in plants: cellulose). Main energy source: glucose.

Three types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides (Momoner), Disaccharides (polymer), Polysaccharide (polymer)

Scratch

Plant sugar storage (amylose and amylopectin).

Glycogen

Animal/human glucose storage.

Cellulose

Provides structural support in plant cell walls.

Chitin

Found in arthropod exoskeletons (insects, spiders, crabs).

Lipids

Diverse group of hydrophobic compounds due to nonpolar hydrocarbon structure (C-C and C-H bonds).

Functions of lipids

Long term energy storage (fats), Help with insulations (keep you warm), Make up cell membranes and Build hormones.

Saturated Fats

Have no double bonds, Solid at room temperature. Can raise “bad” cholesterol.

Unsaturated Fats

Have double bonds in their chains, Liquid at room temperature (called oils). Healthier for the heart.

Trans-Fats and Hydrogeneration

Turning oil into a solid fat by adding hydrogen. Found in maraine, some peanut butters, and fast foods.

Essentail fatty Acids

Fats your body needs but cant make. Examples: Omega3, and Omega-6.

Phospholipids

Special fats that make up the cell membrane, 2 fatty acid tails (don't like water= hydrophobic) and Phosphate head (likes water= hydrophilic).

Steroids

Fats with a ring shape. Needed for vitamins and cell membranes.

Waxes

Made of fatty acid + alcohol. Used for Waterproofing (like in plant leaves or animal fur).

Proteins

Important molecules found in all living things. Made of amino acids (small building blocks).

Proteins help with

Building body parts, Controlling body functions, Speeding up reactions, Defending the body and Transporting things.

How Proteins Are Made

Link together using peptide bonds. A chain of amino acids called polypeptide.

Enzymes

Speed up chemical reactions (like digestion).

Hormones

Send messages in the body.

Transport proteins

Move things in the body.

Structural proteins

Builds body parts.

Protective proteins

Fight illness (antibodies).

Denaturation

Loses its shape, it stops working.

Secondary Protein Structure

Folding into shapes like Alpha-helix (spiral) and Beta-Pleated sheet (zig zag).

Tertiary Protein Structure

3D shape caused by R group interactions.

Quaternary Protein Structure

Multiple polypeptides joines together.

Cytochrome c

A protein that helps make energy from food.

Nucleic Acids

Built from nucleotides (small building blocks).

What are Nucleic Acids

Important molecules that store and pass on genetic info. Two Main Types 1. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and 2. RNA (RIbonucleic acid).

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Holds the genetic instructions for life.

RNA (RIbonucleic acid)

Helps make proteins using the instructions from DNA.