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 (high  normal) Glucagon – raises blood sugar (low  normal) 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 glucosesucrose 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