macromolecule There are Four major types of biological macromolecules that make up the human
body: nucleic acids (DNA & RNA), Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats
polymer a long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together by
covalent bonds
monomer the subunit that serves as the building block of a polymer
enzyme a macromolecule serving as a catalyst, a chemical agent that increases the rate of a
reaction without being consumed by the reaction. Most are proteins.
dehydration reaction a chemical reaction in which 2 molecules become covalently bonded to each other
with the removal of a water molecule
hydrolysis a chemical reaction that breaks bonds between 2 molecules by the addition of
water; functions in disassembly of polymers to monomers
carbohydrates a sugar (monosaccharide) or one of its dimers (disaccharide) or polymers
(polysaccharide)
monosaccharide the simplest carbohydrate, active alone or serving as a monomer for disaccharides
and polysaccharides. Also known as simple sugars, that are generally some
multiple of CH2O
disaccharide a double sugar, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic linkage
formed by a dehydration reaction
glycosidic linkage a covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction
, Campbell Biology Ninth Edition - Chapter 5 The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules
polysaccharide Polymers of simple sugars covalently linked by glycosidic bonds
starch a storage polysaccharide in plants, consisting entirely of glucose monomers joined
by alpha glycosidic linkages
glycogen an extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and
muscle of animals; the animal equivalent of starch
cellulose a structural polysaccharide of plant cell walls, consisting of glucose monomers
joined by beta glycosidic linkages
chitin a structural polysaccharide, consisting of amino sugar monomers, found in many
fungal cell walls and in the exoskeletons of all arthopods
lipid Hydrophobic. Considered monomers. Any of a group of large biological molecules,
including fats, phospholipids, and steroids, that mix poorly, if at all, with water.
Provide an efficient form of energy storage.
fat a lipid consisting of 3 fatty acids linked to one glycerol molecule; also called a
triacylglycerol or a triglyceride.