Macromolecules

Monomers join together to form polymers

Macromolecules

4 Major Categories of Organic Macromolecules:

• Used as a quick energy source

• Often end in -ose

• Mainly sugars and starches​

• Made up of C, H, and O in a 1:2:1 ratio​

• Examples: Glucose, Cellulose, Fructose, Lactose​

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Carbohydrates

Monosaccharide: "one sugar"

• Glucose​

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Monomer:

Carbohydrates

Disaccharide= 2 monosaccharides joined together

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Polysaccharide= many monosaccharides joined together.​

• ​Forms complex carbohydrates like starches and glycogen

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Carbohydrates

• Used as a long term or stored energy source

• ​Made up of C, H, and O, but not in a specific ratio

• Not soluble in H2O

• Examples: Oils, Fats, and Waxes​

Lipids

• Structure

• No "true" monomer, but mainly made up of 2 parts:

  • Glycerol

  • Fatty Acids ​

Lipids

​Monomer:

• Main component of cell membranes

• Insulation for certain types of animals

• Hormones-chemical messengers in the body​

Lipids

Functions

​Widely variable functions and Complex Structure

• Enzymes-catalyze chemical reactions

• ​Building muscle

• Component of hair, nails, and skin

• Examples: Collagen, Elastin, Hemoglobin​

Proteins

Amino Acid

• 20 different amino acids

• Amino acids join forming polypeptides​

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Monomer:

Proteins

Collagen:

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Hemoglobin:

Proteins

Enzymes:

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Proteins

• ​Biological Catalysts

• Speed up chemical reactions in organisms

• ​Vital for life

• ​Make up DNA and RNA found in all living organisms.

• Function to store and transmit genetic or hereditary information​

Nucleic Acids

• ​Monomer: Nucleotide

• Composed of C, H, O, N, and P​

  • Phosphate

  • Sugar

  • Nitrogen Base​

Nucleic Acids

Cell Organelles