Macromolecules Macromolecules are those that are constructed on a monomer polymer concept Monomer a single molecular building block Polymer three or more monomer units bonded together Proteins Are the most diverse of the biomolecules Are involved in Enzymes Structure Transport Hormones Contractile tissue Storage Nutrition Amino acids are the building blocks of protein Different amino acids have different side groups some are hydrophobic some hydrophilic Peptide bond how amino acids are bonded together Technically a string of amino acids is called a polypeptide This is not necessarily synonymous with protein since some proteins are constructed of more than one polypeptide Four levels of protein structure Primary structure sequence of amino acids determines final protein shape Secondary structure helix pleated sheet random coil Tertiary structure larger twists turns Quaternary structure two or more polypeptides that function as a single protein Nucleic Acids nucleotide is the monomer unit a polymer of nucleotides is a nucleic acid double stranded DNA is held together by hydrogen bonds Differences between DNA and RNA ribose vs deoxyribose single stranded vs double stranded uracil vs thymine Gene a particular sequence of nucleotides in DNA that contains the instructions for a making specific individual protein Lipids an organic compound consisting mainly of carbon and hydrogen atoms linked by nonpolar covalent bonds Are insoluble in water but soluble in non polar solvents not constructed on a building block basis lipids are a general class that includes fats oils cholesterol hormones lipids are soluble in non polar solvents Roles for lipid energy storage insulation cell membranes Four categories fatty acids glycerides phospholipids steroids 1 Fatty Acids polar and non polar ends saturation vs unsaturation trans fatty acids Double bonds in fatty acid chains influence shape and function of the fatty acid importance to membranes 2 Glycerides constructed of a fatty acids linked to a glycerol head group results in a molecule that is completely non polar glycerides are how animals store fat 3 Phospholipids have two fatty acids and a phosphate groups attached to a glycerol backbone has a polar end and a non polar end are the main lipids in cell membranes 4 Sterols 4 carbon ring testosterone estrogen cholesterol
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