Concept 5.1: Macromolecules are polymers, built from monomers

Flashcards from Concept 5.1 of Pearson's Campbell Biology, Twelfth Edition.

Biological molecules

Macromolecule polymers:

• Carbohydrates (like glucose)

• Proteins (in amino acids)

• Nucleic acids (in DNA)

Non-polymer nor macromolecule:

• Lipids

Macromolecules

Large polymers named for their huge size; cells have thousands and different cells have different varieties

• Many can be built from just a small set of monomers

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar building blocks called monomers

• Includes carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids

Monomer

The repeating units that serve as the building blocks for polymers

Enzymes

Specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions such as those that make or break down polymers

Dehydration reaction

Occurs when two monomers bond together through the loss of a water molecule, thus creating a polymer

Hydrolysis

The disassembly of a polymer to a monomer, creating a reaction that is essentially the reverse of the dehydration reaction