ch 2 monomers

Introduction to Macromolecules

  • Macromolecules are large structures that constitute all living organisms (0:03-0:05).

  • They are built from smaller units known as monomers that link together to form larger units called polymers (0:07-0:11).

Four Primary Classes of Macromolecules

Carbohydrates (0:22-1:00)

  • Function:

    • Carbohydrates serve as the main fuel source for most living things.

    • They provide structural components for many plants (0:24-0:29).

  • Monomers:

    • The basic building blocks of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides, which literally means "one sugar."

    • Examples include glucose, fructose, and ribose (0:33-0:40).

  • Polymers:

    • When many monosaccharides link together, they form long chains called polysaccharides (0:43-0:48).

Examples of Polysaccharides:

  • Storage Carbohydrates:

    • Starch in plants (0:51-0:53)

    • Glycogen in animals (0:54-0:56)

  • Structural Carbohydrates:

    • Cellulose in plants (0:57-0:59)

    • Chitin in insects (0:59-1:00)

Lipids (1:03-1:46)

  • Characteristics:

    • Lipids are characterized by being hydrophobic (water-fearing) (1:08-1:12).

  • Functions:

    • They perform various roles, including:

    • Energy storage

    • Forming cell membranes

    • Acting as steroids (1:15-1:17).

  • Monomers:

    • Notably, lipids do not have true monomers in the same way other macromolecules do; they "just are what they are" (1:20-1:24).

Types of Lipids:

  • Fats:

    • This includes triglycerides, saturated fats, and unsaturated fats (1:26-1:29).

  • Phospholipids:

    • Crucial for forming cellular membranes (1:31-1:33).

  • Steroids:

    • A category that encompasses all sex hormones, formed from a cholesterol base (1:36-1:44).

Proteins (1:48-2:12)

  • Function:

    • Proteins are fundamental to life, involved in nearly all cellular functions and making up a major part of all living organisms (1:50-1:53).

  • Monomers:

    • The building blocks of proteins are called amino acids, of which there are 20 different types (1:54-1:59).

  • Polymers:

    • Amino acids link together to form polypeptides (2:01-2:04).

  • Structure and Function:

    • The protein's structure results from folding, and this specific folding ultimately determines its function (2:07-2:09).

Nucleic Acids (2:12-2:33)

  • Function:

    • Nucleic acids are responsible for the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information (2:15-2:18).

  • Monomers:

    • The subunits of nucleic acids are called nucleotides, commonly known as adenine, guanine, and thymine (2:21-2:25).

    • These terms are familiar from the study of DNA and RNA.

  • Polymers:

    • The polymers of nucleic acids are called polynucleotides, which constitute the strands of DNA and RNA (2:29-2:33).

Definitions of Key Terms:

  • Macromolecules: Large molecules necessary for life made up of smaller subunits.

  • Monomers: Individual molecules that can join together to form polymers.

  • Polymers: Larger organic molecules made up of repeating units (monomers).

  • Polysaccharides: Carbohydrates formed by linking multiple monosaccharides (sugar units).

  • Amino Acids: The building blocks of proteins; there are 20 different types that combine to form proteins.

  • Nucleotides: The fundamental building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.