Biomolecules

Vocabulary

  • Biomolecule/macromolecule - A molecule in a living thing

    • ex: Amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids

  • HONC rule - Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon in the order of bonds

  • Covalent bond - A bond where two atoms share valence electrons

  • Carbohydrate - A source of energy, starch, sugars, cellulose 

    • ex: starch, sugars, cellulose

  • Lipid - Fatty acids or their derivatives 

    • ex: Waxes, oils, etc

  • Protein - Chains of amino acids 

    • Enzymes, antibodies

  • Nucleic Acid - Nucleotides linked in a long chain

    • ex: DNA, RNA

  • Monomer - A molecule of one type that can be combined with other monomers of the same type to become a polymer

    • ex:Lipids, nucleotides

  • Polymer - Natural or synthetic substances that are composed of macromolecules, or really big molecules made from groups of monomers.

    • ex: Nylon, polylactic acid

  • Dehydration synthesis - A process that removes water molecules from the reacting molecule to make the monomers into a polymer 

    • Glucose into maltose

  • Hydrolysis - A process that adds water molecules to the resting molecule to break the polymer into monomers

Biomolecules

Carbohydrates: (Sugars and Starches)

Monomer/Building blocks: monosaccharides

Functions: good, fast source of energy

Specific Examples: pasta, bread, 

Lipids: (Fats and Oils) 

Monomer: glycerol, fatty acids

Functions: helps keep warm, insulation, long-term energy storage, and protection of vital organs.

Specific Examples: butter, oil, cholesterol 

  • Lipids are not a good polymer because they are not built from the same repeating monomers

  • There are many diverse types of lipids

Proteins: 

Monomer:  amino acids

Functions: EVERYTHING, BUT being used for energy

Examples: meats, beans

  • Proteins are molecular tools

Nucleic Acids: 

Monomer: Nucleotides

Functions: Genetic information for coding of traits

Examples: consuming strawberry cells, plants, animals

Biochemistry

  • Organic - carbon and hydrogen

  • Element - simplest substance

  • Atom - protons, neutrons, electrons

What is considered a monomer?