Roles of macromolecules in the cell Flashcards
(34 cards)
What do monomers build in cells?
Polymers, which build macromolecules, which form cellular structures.
What are the four major macromolecule types?
Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
Give examples of medicinal macromolecules.
Hydrocortisone (steroid hormone), Ispaghula (fibre), Lactulose (non-absorbable sugar).
How are macromolecules assembled?
Monomers → Polymers → Macromolecules → Cellular structures.
What are enantiomers and why are they important in pharmaceutics?
Stereoisomers with a chiral carbon that cannot be superimposed; affects drug design and action.
Name four key functional groups in macromolecules and their functions.
Hydroxyl: solubility & H-bonding; Carboxyl: peptide bonding; Amino: peptide bonding; Phosphate: energy bonds in nucleotides.
What is the general formula for carbohydrates?
(CH₂O)n.
What is a hemiacetal and where is it found?
A carbon bonded to an alcohol and ether group; formed in cyclic sugars.
How are monosaccharides linked?
By glycosidic bonds via condensation reactions.
How are glycosidic bonds broken?
By hydrolysis, catalysed by enzymes.
Name three types of polysaccharides and their characteristics.
Starch: α1-4/α1-6 bonds, plant storage; Glycogen: branched, animal storage; Cellulose: β1-4 bonds, undigestible, dietary fibre.
What are peptidoglycans and their importance?
Polysaccharides with peptides, key antibiotic targets in bacterial cell walls.
What are lipopolysaccharides (LPS)?
Large sugar-lipid complexes on bacterial membranes that trigger strong immune responses.
Are lipids true polymers?
No.
What characterises lipids?
Mostly hydrocarbons, low water solubility, amphipathic structure.
Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
Saturated: no double bonds, straight, solid; Unsaturated: ≥1 double bond, kinked, liquid.
What are triglycerides composed of and their function?
Glycerol + 3 fatty acids; energy storage, insulation, mechanical protection.
What is the function of phospholipids?
Form cell membranes; amphipathic, create bilayers.
What are steroids derived from and their function?
Cholesterol; function in membranes and as hormone precursors.
What are the components of a nucleotide?
Phosphate group, 5-carbon sugar, nitrogenous base.
How do DNA and RNA differ in bases?
DNA: A, T, G, C; RNA: A, U, G, C.
What links nucleotides together?
Phosphodiester bonds (5’ to 3’ direction).
What is base pairing in DNA?
A-T with 2 H-bonds, G-C with 3 H-bonds.
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA → RNA (transcription) → Protein (translation).
