Biology Macromolecules: Monomers, Polymers, and Functions

Monomer

Small building block molecule that makes up polymers

Polymer

Large molecule made of repeating monomers

Polymerization

Process of joining monomers together to form polymers

Macromolecule

Giant molecule made by linking smaller molecules together

Carbohydrate

Macromolecule used for quick energy and structural support in plants

Monosaccharide

Simple sugar; monomer of carbohydrates

Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrate made of many monosaccharides

Starch

Energy storage polysaccharide in plants

Glycogen

Energy storage polysaccharide in animals

Cellulose

Structural carbohydrate in plant cell walls

Chitin

Structural carbohydrate found in insect and crustacean exoskeletons

Lipid

Macromolecule made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; used for long-term energy storage and insulation

Fatty Acid

Part of a lipid molecule; can be saturated or unsaturated

Glycerol

Molecule that bonds with fatty acids to make triglycerides

Triglyceride

Lipid made of glycerol and three fatty acids; used for energy storage

Phospholipid

Lipid that makes up cell membranes

Steroid

Type of lipid that acts as a hormone (testosterone, estrogen)

Wax

Lipid that provides waterproof coating on plants and animals

Protein

Macromolecule made of amino acids; used for structure, enzymes, and transport

Amino Acid

Monomer of proteins

Polypeptide

Chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds

Peptide Bond

Bond that connects amino acids together

R-group

Variable part of an amino acid that gives it its properties

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy

Nucleic Acid

Macromolecule that stores and transmits genetic information (DNA & RNA)

Nucleotide

Monomer of nucleic acids; made of sugar, phosphate, and nitrogen base

DNA

Double-stranded nucleic acid that stores hereditary information

RNA

Single-stranded nucleic acid that helps build proteins

Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine, Uracil

Five nitrogen bases (A-T, C-G in DNA; A-U, C-G in RNA)