Biological Macromolecules. About Macromolecules Macro = big Polymer = another word for macromolecule...
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Transcript of Biological Macromolecules. About Macromolecules Macro = big Polymer = another word for macromolecule...
Biological Macromolecules
About Macromolecules
• Macro = big• Polymer = another word for macromolecule• Monomer = small molecules that make up
polymers (subunit)
Polymer =monomer – monomer – monomer - monomer
Lipids
• Examples: fats and oils • Subunit: fatty acids• Functions: – energy storage– insulation– waxy coatings– cell membranes
Lipids (cont.)
• Structure – long carbon chain with many hydrogen atoms
Lipids (cont.)
• Other info: – Can be saturated or unsaturated– Not soluble in water (“hydrophobic”)
• Test: Brown paper bag test
Proteins
• Subunit: amino acids• Functions:– Cell and tissue structure (ex. muscle)– Chemical reactions in body
• SHAPE determines FUNCTION!Examples: • Insulin – lowers blood sugar (highnormal)• Glucagon – raises blood sugar (lownormal)• Hemoglobin – carries oxygen in blood to cells
Proteins (cont.)
• Structure:– Chains of amino acids joined by PEPTIDE BONDS– Chains fold into specific shapes
Proteins (cont.)
• Test: Biuret solution
Carbohydrates
• Subunit = sugars• Function (what it is used for)= ENERGY
• Types:– Monosaccharides – “one sugar” – ex. glucose– Disaccharides – “two sugars” – ex. sucrose– Polysaccharides – “many sugars” – ex. starch
Carbohydrates (cont.)
• Structure – rings or chains of rings
glucose sucrose
starch
Carbohydrates (cont.)
• Tests:– Benedict’s solution for monosaccharides
– Iodine for starch
Nucleic Acids
• Subunit: nucleotide• Function: storing and transferring genetic
information• Examples:– DNA– RNA
Nucleic Acids (cont.)
• Structure: one or two strands of nucleotides
Nucleotide DNA