MACROMOLECULE
Composition
(Elements that form
Monomer/
Polymer
STRUCTURE
FUNCTIONS/MISC
the macromolecule)
Carbohydrates
Hydrogen, Carbon,
Oxygen
empirical formula =
(CH2O)n
MONOMER Monosaccharides:
-glucose, fructose,
galactose, etc…
Monosaccharides can exist in
either a linear form or a ring
form. In aqueous solutions it
usually forms a ring.
POLYMERS Disaccharides:
-maltose, sucrose,
lactose
Polysaccharides:
1. glycogen (animals) and starch
(plants) are helical because of
linkage type. Glycogen is more
branched. Both used for
monosaccharide storage
2. Cellulose is linear because of
linkage type and H-bonds to
other cellulose molecules. Cell
wall of plants and algae
polysaccharides:
-starch, glycogen,
cellulose
Proteins
Carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen, nitrogen,
sulfur
MONOMER Amino acid
Twenty different
amino acids each
with a different
“R” group (side
chain)
POLYMER –
polypeptide
Primary structure: amino acids
linked in a linear manner by
peptide bonds
Secondary structure: alpha
helices, beta sheets and omega
loops. Held together by main
chain H-bonds.
Tertiary Structure: overall, threedimensional structure of
polypeptide. Secondary
structures come together to form
tertiary structures – side chains
involved, all bonding and
hydrophobic interactions
Quaternary structure: when
1. Monosaccharides act as fuel
molecules to perform cellular
functions.
2. Carbon skeletons of
monosaccharides used as raw
materials for making other
organic molecules (i.e. amino
acids, triglycerides, etc…).
3. linked to form polysaccharides
4. –ose suffix (glucose, fructose,
etc…)
1. structural
2. contractile proteins (ex.
Movement)
3. storage
4. defense
5. transport
6. hormones—coordinate body
activities
7. enzyme—increases rate of
chemical reaction without being
used up
8. Receptors
Nucleic Acids
Hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, phosphate
MONOMER –
Nucleotide
a. Sugar
(deoxyribose in
DNA or
ribose in RNA),
b. Phosphate,
c. Nitrogenous
base (A,G,C, T,U)
POLYMERdinucleotide
polynucleotide
more than one polypeptide
comes together, formed by
bonding interactions among
subunits (multiple polypeptides)
NUCEOTIDE:
A sugar, either deoxyribose or
ribose depending on whether its
DNA OR RNA, attached to a
phosphate at carbon 5 and
attached to a nitrogenous base
at carbon 1
DINUCLEOTIDE:
Two nucleotides connected by a
phosphodiester linkage.
C5-O-P-O-C3
POLYNUCLEOTIDE:
Multiple nucleotides linked,
sugar-phosphate backbone, 5’
and 3’ ends
RNA:
Single-stranded polynucleotide
using A,U,C,G and ribose in
nucleotides
DNA:
Double-stranded polynucleotide
using A,T,G,C and deoxyribose in
nucleiotides, stranded attached
through basepairs A-T and C-G,
A-T connected by 2 H-bonds, CG connected by 3 H-Bonds, weak
H-bonds allow for DNA strands to
be separated and read by
RNA:
Found in the steps between DNA
and protein:
1. mRNA – a transcription of
the DNA
2. tRNA – carries amino acids
to the ribosome
3. rRNA – forms 60% of the
ribosome
DNA:
Makes up genetic material that
organisms get from parents.
Stores RNA and protein
sequence instructions.
Lipids
Fats (Triglycerides):
glycerol + three fatty
acids (carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen)
Phospholipids: a
glycerol (C,H,O), two
fatty acids (C,H,O),
phosphate (P,O) and a
variable group.
Waxes: one fatty acid
(C,H,O, and an alcohol
(-OH).
Steroids : carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen
No monomers or
polymers.
proteins
Fats: A glycerol with three fatty
acids sticking out like tails.
Phospholipids: A glycerol with
two fatty acids ester linked
(tails). The third site is attached
to a negative phosphate, which
is attached to a variable group.
Waxes: A hydrocarbon with a
hydroxyl(s) –OH (alcohol) or
carbonyl(s)
Steroid: Four fused carbon rings:
one five-sided, three six-sided.
Fats: energy storage, insulation,
cushions organs.
Phospholipids: a major
component of cell membranes,
amphipathic, form a lipid bilayer
Waxes: coating on fruits,
insects, and aerial surfaces of
plants to prevent water loss.
Steroids:
cholesterol – part of cell
membranes, helps maintain
fluidity (prevents phospholipids
from packing tight and becoming
a solid), can be modified by
enzymes to form the sex
hormones (testosterone,
progesterone, estrogen)