The Structure and Function of Macromolecules Flashcards
polymer
a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical building blocks linked by covalent bonds
monomers
small molecules; repeating units that serve as the building blocks of a polymer
condensation reaction / dehydration reaction
monomers are connected by a reaciton in which two molecules are covalently bonded to each other through loss of a water molecule
hydrolysis
monomers being broken by addition of water molecules; break with water; reverse of the dehydration reaction
carbohydrates
include sugars and the polymers of sugars; monosaccharides, disacchaarides, polysaccharides
classifying sugars
depending on the location of the carbonyl group (=C=O) -end: aldoses; middle: ketoses; size of the carbon skeleton: usually three to seven carbs long
glycosidic linkage
covalent bond formel between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction
glycogen
polysaccride; vertebrates store it mainly in liver and muscle cells
cellulose
polysaccharide; major component of the tough walls that enclose plant cells
alpha and beta glucose ring structures
differ in the placement of the hydroxyl group attached to the number 1 carbon

starch 1-4 linkage of alpha glucose monomers

cellulose: 1-4 linkage of beta glucose monomers

fat
Fat is constructed from two kinds of smaller molecules: glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol is an alcohol with three carbons, each bearing a hydroxyl group. A fatty acid has a long carbon skeleton, usually 16 to 18 carbon atoms in length. At one end of the fatty acid is a carboxyl group. function: energy storage, cushions, isolation
phospholipid
Two fatty acids attached to glycerol.The third hydroxyl group of glycerol is joined to a phosphate group, which has a negative electrical charge. Additional small molecules, usually charged or polar, can be linked to the phosphate group to form a variety of phospholipids. hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails
steroids
lipids characterized by a caron skeleton consisting of four rings
cholesterol
steroid, is a common component of animal cell membranes and is also the precursor from which other steroids are synthesized
proteins
speed up chemical reactions, structual support, storage, transport, cellular communication, movement, defense against foreign substances
enzymes
regulate metabolism by acting as catalysts, chemical agents that selectively speed up chemical reactions in the cell without being consumed by the reaction
enzymatic proteins
selective acceleration of chemical reactions
structual proteins
support
storage proteins
storage of amino acids
transport proteins
transport other substances
hormonal proteins
coordination of an organism’s activities
receptor proteins
response of cell to chemical stimuli