Macromolecules and Biochemistry

Key Concepts

• Monomers: Repeating molecular subunits that are the building blocks of polymers.
  • Examples: Monosaccharides, glycerol, amino acids, nucleotides.
• Polymers: Long chains made of monomers.
  • Examples: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

Types of Macromolecules

Lipids (Fats)

• Monomer: Glycerol and fatty acids.
• Examples: Phospholipids, cholesterol.
• Characteristics:
  • Hydrophobic fats that can store energy.
  • Found in cell membranes, controlling what enters and exits cells.
  • Good insulators.
  • Types of fats:
    • Saturated Fats: Single bonded, straight line.
    • Unsaturated Fats: Double bonded, bent structure.

Proteins

• Monomer: Amino acids.
• Functions:
  • Build and repair tissues.
  • Important for muscle building and immune system function.
  • Serve as enzymes and hormones.
• Structure Levels:
  • Primary: Linear sequence of amino acids.
  • Secondary: Regular folding into specific structural patterns.
  • Tertiary: Three-dimensional arrangement of amino acids.
  • Quaternary: Multiple polypeptide chains packed together.

Carbohydrates (Carbs)

• Monomer: Monosaccharide.
• Function: Store energy for short periods.
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Examples: Glucose, fructose, sucrose.

Nucleic Acids

• Monomer: Nucleotide.
• Function: Store and transmit genetic information; involved in protein synthesis.
• Structure:
  • Made of phosphate group, sugar, nitrogenous base.
  • Arranged with phosphates on the outside, sugar in the middle, and nitrogenous bases connecting nucleotides.
  • DNA: Genetic blueprint.
  • RNA: Assists in protein synthesis.

Enzymes

• Catalysts for chemical reactions in living organisms.
• Functions:
  • Speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.
  • Reusable (can react with a substrate multiple times).
• Note: Some enzymes are RNA, but most are proteins.
• Denaturing: Unraveling and loss of 3D shape.

Chemical Reactions

Hydrolysis

• A chemical reaction where a compound is broken down by reaction with water.

Dehydration Synthesis

• Formation of new chemical bonds between molecules, resulting in new compounds.