Chapter 5 bio notes Concept 5.1 Macromolecules are polymers built from monomers -Large carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, also known

What are macromolecules?

Large carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, known for their huge size and polymer structure.

What is a polymer?

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds.

What are monomers?

The smaller molecules that serve as the building blocks of a polymer.

What is polymerization?

The chemical mechanism by which cells make polymers by linking monomers.

What role do enzymes play in biological processes?

Enzymes are specialized macromolecules that speed up chemical reactions.

What is a condensation reaction?

A reaction in which two molecules are covalently bonded with the loss of a small molecule.

What does hydrolysis mean?

Water breakage; the bond between monomers is broken by the addition of a water molecule.

What is a disaccharide?

A double sugar formed from two monosaccharides joined by a covalent bond.

What are polysaccharides?

Macromolecules, polymers composed of many sugar building blocks.

What is the most common monosaccharide?

Glucose (C6H12O6), which is central to the chemistry of life.

What is a glycosidic linkage?

A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides during the formation of a disaccharide.

What is the main function of starch?

Plants use starch to store sugars for later use.

What is cellulose?

A polysaccharide that is a major component of the tough walls enclosing plant cells.

What are lipids?

A class of large biological molecules that are hydrophobic and do not include true polymers.

What is a fat?

A large molecule composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, used for energy storage.

What is a phospholipid?

A lipid similar to fat but with only two fatty acids attached to glycerol, crucial for cell membranes.

What are proteins?

Biologically functional molecules made from one or more polypeptides, instrumental in many cellular functions.

What is a peptide bond?

The covalent bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Storing, transmitting, and expressing hereditary information through DNA and RNA.

What is a gene?

A discrete unit of inheritance that consists of DNA.

What are polynucleotides?

Polymers made of monomers called nucleotides, which make up nucleic acids.

What is the structure of DNA?

DNA consists of two polynucleotide strands that form a double helix.

What is the significance of bioinformatics?

It involves using computational tools to analyze large sets of biological data, transforming biological study.

How do genomics and proteomics contribute to biology?

They enhance understanding of genetic information and protein functions, aiding in studies of evolution.