BiochemistryLesson 1 of 1 in the course Chemistry of Life

Biological Macromolecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Biological macromolecules are large, carbon-containing molecules built from smaller organic units. This lesson introduces carbon’s bonding properties and explores carbohydrates, from simple sugars to structural polysaccharides.

The four major classes of biological macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. They make up much of a cell’s dry mass. Organic molecules contain carbon bonded to hydrogen and may also contain oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other elements.

All flashcards

What makes carbon especially useful in biological molecules?
Carbon can form four covalent bonds, including bonds with other carbon atoms, enabling chains, branches, rings, and varied molecular structures.
What are the components of a triglyceride?
A triglyceride consists of one glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acids.
What determines many of an amino acid’s chemical properties?
Its variable R group influences whether the amino acid is acidic, basic, polar, or nonpolar.
What is protein denaturation?
A change in a protein’s shape, often caused by temperature, pH, or chemicals, that can impair its function.
What are the three components of a nucleotide?
A nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

Quiz questions

  1. Which part of an amino acid varies among the 20 common amino acids?Answer: The R group
  2. How does a peptide bond form between two amino acids?Answer: Their carboxyl and amino groups react, releasing water.
  3. What primarily stabilizes secondary structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets?Answer: Hydrogen bonds between atoms in the polypeptide backbone
  4. Which set of components makes up a nucleotide?Answer: A nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group
  5. How are phospholipids arranged in a cell membrane bilayer?Answer: Their hydrophilic heads face water, and their hydrophobic tails face inward.

Based on Concepts of Biology by Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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