Macromolecules
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__________________________: large organic molecules (carbon-containing) that make up all
living things
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Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
We can’t live without them!!
They run our body, hold information for how to run our body, and provide the
energy to do so
EVERYTHING we will learn for the rest of the semester will relate back to
macromolecules!!!
Structurally, most macromolecules are polymers made out of monomers
Structure Overview
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____________________________: small, basic sub-units
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Think about a brick or a word
____________________________: larger more complex structures made of monomers
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Think about a brick wall or a sentence
Carbohydrates
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Main function = ___________________ storage (short-term)
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Other uses = ___________________________, transport, and signaling
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Found in = ____________________ and _______________________________
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Monomer = monosaccharides = _______________________sugar molecules
Ex. Glucose (main fuel for cell), galactose (in milk), fructose (in fruit)
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Polymer = polysaccharides = ______________________sugar molecules
Ex. Starch (how plants store sugar), glycogen (how animals store sugar), cellulose (structural
support in plant cell walls)
Energy storage = 4 calories/gram
 Body can access and break it down easily, thus it is typically the first thing your body will
break down to get energy when you need it!
Lipids
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Main function = ___________________ storage (long-term)
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Other uses = ____________________________, protection, and structure
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Found in = ________________, oils, phospholipids (in the cell membrane), steroids
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Monomer = fatty acids
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Polymer = triglycerides
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Energy storage = 9 calories/gram
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When your body runs out of easy-to-access carbs, it will break down lipids next for
energy
Phospholipids
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Structure = 2 fatty acids + 1 phosphate
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Hydrophilic head = phosphate group
o
Hydrophobic tail = fatty acids
Phospholipid bilayer = 2 layers make up the plasma membrane of our cells
Makes membrane selectively permeable
Proteins
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Main function = no “_______________________function” because proteins do SO MUCH! They
run your body!
o
______________ that control the rate of biochemical reactions
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Hormones that regulate cell processes (Ex. Insulin)
o
____________________________ make up bones and muscles (Ex. Collagen)
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Transport substances in and out of cell (Ex. Hemoglobin)
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____________________________________ help immune system fight diseases
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Movement (Ex. Contractile proteins)
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Receptors aid in cell signaling
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_________________________ source in the food we eat (Ex. Casein)
Found in = _____________________, nuts, and dairy products, but many are made by your body
Monomer = ___________________________ acids
Polymer = Polypeptide
Amino acids linked together by a peptide bond
Energy storage = 4 calories/gram
Proteins do SO MUCH besides for the body that they are usually the last resort if energy is
needed
Proteins are the most ____________________ macromolecule in terms of structure AND
function
4 levels to their structure
Form dictates function
The __________________________________ of the protein determines what it does!
Nucleic Acid
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Main function = informational molecules that store, transmit, and express our genetic
information; instructions for making proteins
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Found in = _________________ and RNA
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You get them from your parents not your food!!
Monomer = Nucleotides
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___________________, Guanine, _______________________, Cytosine, and Uracil
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These are made up of:
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_________________________________________
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Phosphate group
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________________________________________
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Polymer = Nucleic acid = DNA or RNA
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Energy storage = 0 calories/gram
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They are NEVER broken down as a source of energy!!