Macromolecules

Macromolecule

A really large molecule made up of repeating subunits. (monomers). Monomer + Monomer + etc. = Macromolecule (polymer) 4 Types: - Carbohydrates - Lipids - Proteins - Nucleic acids

Amino acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 different R groups commonly found in living organisms and, therfore, 20 different amino acids. A typical structure of an amino acid contains: - a Carbon atom at the center - a Hydrogen atom - An R group - A carboxyl group - An amino group

Phospholipids

Are fat derivatives in which one fatty acid has been replaced by a phosphate group and one of several nitrogen - containing molecules. They represent an important part of the cell membrane (the phospholipid bilayer)

Monosaccharides

Are groupings of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O) atoms in a 1:2:1 ratio. These molecules contain 3 - 7 carbon atoms. They can be broken down quickly in the body to release energy. e.x. Glucose - hexose sugar

Fats

Are made up of glycerol and three fatty acids there are many kinds of fatty acids, they differ in two ways: - In length - In the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms

Hormonal proteins

Are responsible for cellular communication e.x Insulin secreted by the pancreas

Enzymatic proteins

Are responsible for the acceleration of chemical reactions. e.x. digestive enzymes, cellular respiration

Strustural proteins

Examples: collagen and elastin, keratin in hair and nails

Nucleic acids

Consist of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (5C): - ribose in RNA - deoxyribose in DNA (deoxy - means lack of oxygen) and a nitrogenous base (C - N ring) Polymer: nucleic acid Monomer of nucleic acid: nucleotides

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Consists of a single, long chain of nucleotides.Contains the instructions for making proteins, these proteins make up much of the structure of a cell and control how it functions. Does not contain Thymine, Urasil takes its place.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

DNA is the main component of genes or hereditary material in cells, they determine how a cell functions and what characteristics it has. Consists of a deoxyribose sugar, has a double helix structure, and contains the bases A,T,C, and G. The two strands of DNA attach themselves through hydrogen bonding via their nitrogenous bases, the nitrogenous bases from each strand pair up via complementary base pairing: A pairs up with T (2 bonds) C pairs up with G (3 bonds). Nucleotides join together by a condensation reaction, creating a single strand of nucleic acid.

Contractile proteins

In charge of movement in the body e.x. Actin and myosin in muscle cells

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Is a modified nucleotide, known as the energy currency of the cell. Energy is obtained by breaking the bond between the second and thirt phosphate group.

Lipids

Lipids provide long - term energy storage, form cell membranes (phospholipids). The provide insulation, and cushioning of internal organs, and partake in the messaging process in the body (hormones). 3 Types: - Fats (triglycerides) - Phospholipids - Steroids

Transport proteins

Participate in the transport of other substances e.x hemoglobin transports 0xygen to cells

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are monosaccharide polymers composed of several hundred to several thousand monosaccharide subunits held together by glucosidic linkages. e.x. Starch (in plants - long - term energy) e.x. Glycogen (in animals - long - term storage) e.x. Cellulose (in plants - structural support)

Defensive proteins

Protect against disease e.x. Antibodies combat viruses and bacteria

Proteins

Proteins are essential parts of living organisms and participate in virtually every process in cells. They protect from foreign molecules, they're used as structural building blocks, as functional molecules. They also speed up chemical reacyions (enzymes), and are involved in chemical messaging. Proteins make up more than 50% of the dry mass of most cells. They are made up of one or more amino acid polymers that have twisted and coiled into a specific shape (4 levels of protein structure).

Carbohydrates

Provide short and long term energy storage, and structural support. Types: - Monosaccharides (monomers) - Disaccharides - Polysaccharides

Steroids

Steroids consist of four fused carbon rings. e.x. cholesterol is a: precursor for other steroids, component of animal cell membranes, and contributes to arteriosclerosis e.x. Testosterone

Nitrogenous bases

There are 2 different types: 1. Purines - Are double ringed - e.x. Adenine, Guanine 2. Pyrimides - Are single ringed - e.x. Cytosine, Uracil ( only in RNA), Thymine (only in DNA)

Disaccharides

These carbohydrates are made up of two or three simple sugars, and they provide short - term energy for the body. e.x. Glucose + Glucose = Lactose + water e.x. Glucose + Fructose = Sucrose + water