Organic Macromolecules: Lecture 4 Flashcards
organic compounds
always contain C and H, usually O and N, sometimes S and P
functional groups
hydroxyl- OH
methyl -CH3
carboxyl -COOH
phosphate -H2PO4
amino -NH2
monomer
single units (micromolecules) that make up a macromolecule
polymer
multiple units of monomers attached to each other
dehydration synthesis
anabolic reaction in which two monomers are linked by a covalent bond and a water molecule is formed
hydrolysis
catabolic reaction in which the covalent bond linking the monomers is broken by the addition of water molecule atoms
carbohydrates
structure: hydrocarbon ring
monomer: monosaccharide
function: energy (glucose)
glycosidic bond between monomers
lipids
structure: phospholipid head, two fatty acid tails
monomer: fatty acids
polymer: triglycerides
function: main component of cell membranes, cushioning, insulation
saturated fatty acids
solid at room temp; no double bonds between carbon atoms
unsaturated fatty acids
liquid at room temp; one or more double bond between carbons (bent tail)
phospholipids
glycerol backbone; two fatty acid tails, one phosphate head
amphiphilic
molecule with a polar group and a nonpolar group
steroids
nonpolar; share a four-ring hydrocarbon structure called steroid nucleus
cholesterol
steroid that forms basis for all other steroids
proteins
structure: amino acids joined by peptide bonds; folded
function: regulation (chemical messengers), movement, catalysis, structure, transport, immune defense
glycogen
storage polymer of glucose; liver, muscles, brain, uterus, vagina
fatty acid
energy molecules and building blocks for polymers
steroid
cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen
triglyceride
storage of fatty acid; building block of phospholipids
phospholipid
major cell membrane component
globular proteins
enzymes, transport, cell messaging
fibrous proteins
structural/mechanical strength
DNA
hereditary material, genes; double helix
RNA
single strand; transcription and translation (making proteins)