The Four Macromolecules of Life

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the four major biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, including their components, structures, and cellular functions.

Macromolecules

Four major groups of biological molecules—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids—that work together to keep cells alive, provide energy, build structures, control cell processes, and store information.

Carbohydrates

Molecules composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that serve as a readily available source of energy for cells and provide energy storage and structure in plants.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that serve as the fundamental building blocks of carbohydrates.

Glucose

An important monosaccharide and simple sugar that cells utilize as a readily available source of energy.

Starch

A larger carbohydrate found in foods like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and corn, used by plants for energy storage.

Glycogen

An example of a larger carbohydrate molecule found in living organisms.

Cellulose

A larger carbohydrate that plants use for structure.

Lipids

A group of molecules consisting mostly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen—including fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids—that function in long-term energy storage, insulation, protection, and membrane formation.

Fatty acids

Molecules that, along with glycerol, make up many lipids.

Glycerol

A molecule that combines with fatty acids to form many lipids.

Phospholipids

A specific type of lipid that forms much of the cell membrane.

Cell membrane

A cellular boundary made largely of phospholipids that controls what enters and leaves a cell.

Steroids

A specific class of biological molecules classified under lipids.

Waxes

A category of biological substances included in the lipid family.

Insulation

A protective thermal and physical function provided to living organisms by lipids.

Proteins

Macromolecules composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen that help build body structures, transport substances, protect the body, and control chemical reactions.

Amino acids

The molecular building blocks of proteins.

Sulfur

An additional chemical element found in some proteins alongside carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Enzymes

Specialized proteins that help chemical reactions happen faster inside cells.

Nucleic acids

Macromolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus that store and use genetic information to direct protein synthesis.

Nucleotides

The building blocks that make up nucleic acids.

DNA

A main nucleic acid responsible for storing genetic information in cells.

RNA

A main nucleic acid that helps cells use genetic information, including directing the synthesis of proteins.

Phosphorus

An element found in nucleic acids in addition to carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Long-term energy storage

The primary energetic role performed by lipids, contrasting with the readily available energy supplied by carbohydrates.