Biological Macromolecules and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key concepts in biology related to macromolecules, their structures, and functions.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits called monomers. An example of a biological polymer is DNA.

Glucose

Not classified as a macromolecule because it is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) and not a large polymeric structure.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, speeding up the reactions without being consumed.

Dehydration synthesis

A reaction that links monomers together by removing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Monosaccharide

A simple sugar; an example is glucose.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond that links amino acids together, different from the bond linking monosaccharides.

Disaccharide formation

A disaccharide is formed from two monosaccharides through dehydration synthesis.

Lipids

Contain more C–H bonds than other major biological molecules, making them more energy-dense.

Triglyceride components

Three main components of a triglyceride: glycerol and three fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids

Contain maximum hydrogen atoms and no double bonds between carbon atoms.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in fewer hydrogen atoms.

Phospholipids

The primary role of phospholipids in cell membranes is to form a bilayer that provides structural integrity.

Amino acids

Twenty different amino acids are used to build proteins in living organisms.

Denatured protein

A protein that has lost its native conformation and function due to external stress or conditions.

Nucleic acid monomer

The monomer of a nucleic acid, also called a polynucleotide, is a nucleotide.

Nucleotide components

Three components make up a nucleotide: a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Enantiomers

Molecules that are mirror images of each other, differing in spatial arrangement.

Neutral carbon atom

A neutral carbon atom has six electrons.

–OH functional group

The hydroxyl group (–OH) is an example of a functional group attached to a carbon.

Carbon's essentiality

Carbon is essential for life due to its ability to form four covalent bonds.

Functional groups in organic molecules

Functional groups determine the chemical properties and reactivity of organic molecules.

Covalent bonds of carbon

A carbon atom can form four covalent bonds.

Organic chemistry

The branch of chemistry that studies carbon-containing compounds.

Carbon versatility

Carbon’s versatility allows for the formation of a wide variety of complex biological molecules.

Amino acid bonds

Peptide bonds connect amino acids in a protein.

Genetic information storage

Proteins cannot store genetic information as they are not nucleic acids.

Unsaturated fatty acids structure

Distinguished by the presence of one or more double bonds in their carbon chain.

Saturated fats health risk

High intake of saturated fats is linked to heart disease.

Protein secondary structure

Involves hydrogen bonding between backbone atoms, forming alpha helices or beta pleated sheets.

Primary energy currency

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) serves as the primary energy currency of the cell.

DNA and RNA relationship

DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein during gene expression.

Phosphodiester bond

A bond that links nucleotides together in a nucleic acid.

Water property

The polarity of water allows it to dissolve ionic and polar substances.

Structural polysaccharide

Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.

Enzymes consumption statement

The statement ‘enzymes are consumed during reactions’ is false because enzymes are reusable.

Tertiary structure of proteins

The tertiary structure involves the overall three-dimensional folding of a protein.

DNA vs RNA nucleotides

One major difference is that RNA nucleotides contain ribose sugar, while DNA nucleotides contain deoxyribose.

Cellulose in plant cell walls

Cellulose provides structural support due to its rigidity and strength.

Digesting starch vs cellulose

Humans can digest starch due to the enzyme amylase, but cannot digest cellulose due to lack of cellulase.