Lipids
Lipids are hydrophobic. What does hydrophobic mean?
Hydrophobic = “water-fearing,” does not dissolve in water.
What are the building blocks (monomers) of proteins?
Amino acids.
What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
DNA and RNA.
What are the monomers of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose).
Which macromolecule group includes enzymes?
Proteins
What type of bond makes lipids good energy storage molecules?
Non-polar C–H bonds.
What type of bond links amino acids together?
Peptide bonds.
What are the three parts of a nucleotide?
Phosphate group, 5-carbon sugar, nitrogenous base.
What is the difference between a monosaccharide and a polysaccharide?
Monosaccharide = 1 sugar, Polysaccharide = many sugars linked.
Which macromolecule is the primary source of quick energy?
Carbohydrates
A triglyceride is made up of what 2 main components?
1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids.
What determines the unique properties of each amino acid?
The R group (side chain).
Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not DNA?
Uracil.
Which polysaccharide stores energy in plants?
Starch
Which macromolecule contains genetic information?
Nucleic acids
Which type of fatty acid has double bonds between carbons?
Unsaturated fatty acids.
What level of protein structure involves α-helices and β-pleated sheets?
Secondary structure.
What type of bond holds the sugar-phosphate backbone together?
Phosphodiester bonds.
What carbohydrate is the main component of plant cell walls?
Cellulose
Which type of fatty acid is solid at room temperature?
Saturated fatty acids
What unique property of phospholipids allows them to form bilayers in cell membranes?
Their dual nature (polar head + nonpolar tails) makes them form bilayers.
What happens to a protein when it is denatured, and why does this affect its function?
The protein unfolds and loses its 3D shape → loses its function.
Explain complementary base pairing in DNA, including hydrogen bond numbers.
A pairs with T (2 H-bonds), C pairs with G (3 H-bonds).
Compare and contrast glycogen and starch in terms of structure and function.
Starch = energy storage in plants, moderately branched.
Glycogen = energy storage in animals, highly branched for quick release.
Which two macromolecules contain nitrogen atoms in their structure?
Proteins and nucleic acids