Biological Macromolecules and Their Chemistry

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to biological macromolecules, their chemistry, and functions.

Biological Macromolecules

Large, complex molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Polymer

A molecule composed of many repeating subunits called monomers.

Monomer

The basic building block of a polymer, capable of joining together to form larger molecules.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction that joins two molecules by removing a water molecule; occurs during polymer formation.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down a compound by adding water, splitting it into its component molecules.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides linked by a glycosidic bond, e.g., sucrose.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of long chains of monosaccharide units, e.g., starch, glycogen.

Glycosidic Linkage

A covalent bond that joins monosaccharides together to form disaccharides or polysaccharides.

Amylose

A type of polysaccharide that consists of linear chains of glucose units.

Amylopectin

A branched form of starch composed of glucose units; more water-soluble than amylose.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide consisting of glucose units linked by beta (1→4) glycosidic bonds; provides structural strength to plant cell walls.

Triglyceride

A type of fat composed of glycerol and three fatty acids; a major form of energy storage in organisms.

Phospholipid

A lipid containing a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails; key structural component of cell membranes.

Steroid

A class of lipids characterized by a structure of four fused carbon rings; includes hormones like testosterone and cholesterol.