What are macromolecules?
Macromolecules are large molecules made up of thousands of atoms that are linked together. They are also known as polymers.
Why do we need to know what these are?
A solid understanding of macromolecules is essential for anatomy and physiology students, as they serve as the foundational components of all living organisms. They contribute to the structure of cells, tissues, and organs while playing key roles in vital biological functions such as energy storage, cell signaling, and genetic transmission. Ultimately, it is impossible to fully comprehend how the human body operates at the cellular level.
Defining Polymerization and Dehydration Synthesis:
Polymerization:
"Poly" - Many.
"Mer" - Units.
The process of synthesizing long chains or networks to form macromolecules.
Dehydration synthesis:
Removes H2O to bond monomers to each other.
Defining Hydrolysis:
"Lysis" = To break or destroy.
Add H2O to break polymers.
Carbohydrates
Functions
Carbohydrates serve as an energy source and provides some cellular structure.
Monomers
Monosaccharides or simple sugars.
(1) Pentose sugars:
(a) Deoxyribose.
(b) Ribose.
(2) Hexose sugars:
(a) Glucose.
(b) Fructose.
(c) Galactose.
Dimers
Disaccharides.
(1) Sucrose.
(2) Lactose.
(3) Maltose.
Polymers
Polysaccharides.
(1) Glycogen - within animal cells, an energy source.
(2) Starch - within plant cells, nutrients.
(3) Cellulose - within plant cells, cell wall structure.
Lipids
Triglycerides
(1) Function:
Serves as an energy source/storage, insulation/protection.
(2) Structure:
Glycerol + 3 fatty acid tails.
(3) Saturated verses Unsaturated:
Saturated does not have double bonds, solid at room temperature, and can raise LDL.
Unsaturated has double bonds, and liquid at room temperature.
Phospholipids
(1) Function:
Serves as a major cell membrane component.
(2) Structure:
The polar head is water soluble (hydrophilic), phosphate containing group.
The non-polar head is water insoluble (hydrophobic), with 2 fatty acid tails.
Steroids
(1) Function:
Serves as the cell membrane structure hormones (chemical messengers).
(2) Structure:
4 interconnected carbon rings.
Eicosanoids
(1) Functions:
Serves for chemical messaging.
(2) Structure:
Formed from arachidonic acid.
(3) Examples:
(a) Prostaglandins:
Hormone, causes
contractions.
(b) Leukotrienes:
Inflammatory
chemicals.
Proteins
Functions
Structural.
Transport.
Movement.
Defense. (antibodies)
Catalysts. (enzymes)
Monomers
Amino Acids.
(1) Acid group.
-COOH, Carboxyl group.
(2) Amine group.
-NH2, amine group.
(3) R group.
"Rest of the molecule."
Dimers
Peptides.
Polymers
Polypeptides.
Protein Structure: Protein Folding
(1) Primary structure:
Long chain of amino acids.
(2) Secondary structure:
(a) Helix - Coil/Spiral.
(b) Pleated sheet - Accordion
folds.
(3) Tertiary structure:
Secondary structure folded onto each other.
(4) Quaternary structure:
Tertiary structures combined with each other.
Protein Denaturation
Protein unfolding/Protein death.
(1) Extreme pH.
(2) Extreme temperature.
(3) Radiation.
(4) Harsh chemicals.
Enzymes
(1) Functions:
Catalysts. (increase reaction rate)
Regulate metabolic reactions. (typically, end "-ase")
(2) Mechanism:
Have active sites that bind substrates, allow new products to form.
Activated by:
Cofactors = Metals. (iron, zinc)
Coenzymes = Vitamins.
(3) Lowering activation energy requirements:
Energy required to allow new products to form is lower, faster reaction rate.
Nucleic Acids
Monomers
Nucleotides.
(1) Sugar group:
Pentose sugars.
(2) Phosphate group.
(3) Base:
(a) Adenine.
(b) Thymine.
(c) Guanine.
(d) Cytosine.
(e) Uracil.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
(1) Structure:
Double-stranded helix.
(a) Sugar:
Deoxyribose
(b) Paired base:
(i) A-T
(ii) G-C
(2) Function:
Information to sustain life, code for protein synthesis.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
(1) Structure:
Single stranded.
(a) Sugar: Ribose.
(b) Bases:
(i) A
(ii) U
(iii) G
(iv) C
(2) Function:
Carries out code for protein synthesis.
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