Biological Macromolecules

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to biological macromolecules, including their definitions and characteristics.

Macromolecules

Very large biological molecules that are polymers composed of many monomer subunits.

Carbohydrates

Polymers of monosaccharides; they include disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Proteins

Polymers of amino acids that perform various functions in the cell including structural and catalytic roles.

Lipids

Large biological molecules that are hydrophobic and include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

Nucleic acids

Polymers composed of nucleotides; examples include DNA and RNA.

Monomers

The individual building blocks that combine to form polymers.

Polymers

Large molecules composed of linked monomers.

Condensation Reaction

A process that forms a covalent bond with the loss of a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down a bond via the addition of water; opposite of condensation.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of two linked monosaccharide subunits.

Oligosaccharides

Short chains composed of 3 or more sugar monomers that are not considered macromolecules.

Polysaccharides

Polymers consisting of hundreds to thousands of linked monosaccharide subunits.

Fatty acids

Building blocks of lipids, can be saturated or unsaturated.

Phospholipids

Amphipathic molecules that form the basis of biological membranes.

Steroids

Hydrophobic lipids characterized by a structure of four fused carbon rings.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Primary Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary Structure

Folding or coiling of the polypeptide chain into structures like alpha-helixes or beta-pleated sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The three-dimensional shape of a protein determined by interactions among R groups.

Quaternary Structure

The structure formed by the association of two or more polypeptide chains.

Nucleotide

The monomer subunit of nucleic acids composed of a 5C sugar, nitrogenous base, and phosphate group.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and acts as an information intermediary.