Biological Macromolecules and Their Functions
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These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to biological macromolecules, their synthesis, functions, and structural organization.
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24 Terms
Macromolecules
Large molecules necessary for life, built from smaller organic molecules.
Dehydration Synthesis
A reaction where two monomers combine, releasing water to form a polymer.
Hydrolysis
A reaction that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water.
Polymers
Large molecules made by linking together many monomers.
Monomers
Single subunits that join together to form polymers.
Glycosidic Bond
A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides during a dehydration reaction.
Starch
A polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in plants.
Glycogen
A highly branched polysaccharide that serves as the storage form of glucose in animals.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide that provides structural support in the cell walls of plants.
Chitin
A polysaccharide that forms the exoskeleton of arthropods and cell walls of fungi.
Enzymes
Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions.
Amino Acids
The building blocks of proteins, consisting of a central carbon, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable R group.
Proteins
Polymers of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions in living organisms.
Primary Structure (of Proteins)
The unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Secondary Structure (of Proteins)
Local folding of a polypeptide chain into structures such as α-helices and β-pleated sheets.
Tertiary Structure (of Proteins)
The overall 3D shape of a protein determined by the interactions among R groups.
Quaternary Structure (of Proteins)
The structure formed when multiple polypeptides interact to form a functional protein.
Nucleotides
The monomers that make up nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.
DNA
The genetic material that encodes the instructions for living organisms.
RNA
A nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and regulation of gene expression.
Codons
Triplets of bases in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid.
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.