Macromolecules Essay

1. What are the four main chemical groups that are necessary for life?

a. The four main chemical groups are lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, these four are the necessary components for life.

2. What are the three types of macromolecules?

a. The three types of macromolecules are carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

3. What reactions drive the synthesis of polymers? The breakdown of polymers?

a. The synthesis of polymers is driven by dehydration reactions, which occurs when two monomers bond covalently and through this bonding, a water molecule is lost. Polymers can also be broken down into monomers through a reaction called hydrolysis. In this reaction, the bonds between monomers are broken through the addition of

Both lactose and maltose are complex carbohydrate macromolecules.

7. What is the role of starch and glycogen?

a. Starch and glycogen are both storage molecules, they are designed to be stockpiled and saved until the organism needs them. Once needed these molecules can be broken down into glucose and used towards ATP production.

8. What is the role of cellulose?

a. The main role of cellulose is to be a structural molecule and support for cells. Cell walls are made from cellulose, which results in the tough inflexible support wall.

9. What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

a. The difference between the two fats is the number of hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon structure. If every carbon atom is bonded to a hydrogen then it is a saturated fat, as the structure is saturated with hydrogen. However, if there is a double bond between carbon atoms then it is an unsaturated fat.

10. What is a phospholipid? What is its main role in the cell?

a. A phospholipid is a double tailed fatty acid, with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. A phospholipid bilayer forms all cellular membranes protecting the cell’s nucleus and organelles from the surrounding area.

11. Name 5 common functions for