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The structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules - Coggle Diagram
The structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules
Polymers and Monomers
Monomers: Small, basic molecular units that can join together to create large molecules called Polymers
Examples: Monosaccharides (Glucose), amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids
Polymers: Long molecules made by linking many monomers through covalent bonds.
Examples: Polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids
Dehydration synthesis and Hydrolysis
Dehydration Synthesis (Also called a condensation reaction) : Chemical reaction that builds polymers by removing a molecule of water
Hydrolysis: Chemical reaction that breaks polymers apart by adding water.
Bond Types
Carbohydrates form Glycosidic Bonds
Proteins form Peptide Bonds.
Nucleic Acids form Phosphodiester Bonds
Lipids form Ester Bonds
Carbohydrates: They provide energy storage (Short-term energy). They also give structural support in plants, fungi, and insects
Monomers: Monosaccharides (Simple Sugars)
Examples: Glucose ( C6H12O6)
Structure: Can be linear or ring shaped
Can be any variation of CH2O
Polymers: Disaccharides and Polysaccharides
Disaccharides: 2 monosaccharides joined by glycosidic linkages
Examples: Sucrose, Lactose
Polysaccharides : Many monosaccharides that store things or provide structural support.
Storage: Starch in plants and Glycogen in animals
Structural: Cellulose in plant cell walls, chitin as the exoskeleton of insects, fungi cell walls
Examples: Bread, pasta, sugars
Lipids: Long term energy storage, insulation, hormones, cell membrane structure
Building blocks: Glycerol + Fatty Acids
Types
Fats (Triglycerides): 3 fatty acids + Glycerol
Saturated: No double bonds, solid at room temp
Unsaturated: Have double bonds, liquid at room temp
Phospholipids: 2 fatty acids + Glycerol + Phosphate group, form bilayers in cell membranes
Steroids: Carbon skeletons with 4 fused rings. ( Cholesterol, hormones like estrogen/testosterone)
Waxes; Long-chain fatty acids with alcohols, protective coatings
Examples: Butter, oils, cholesterol, phospholipid bilayers
Proteins
Functions:
Enzymatic proteins: Speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed
Example: Amylase in saliva breaks down starch into sugars
Defensive proteins: Protect the body against disease by identifying and removing pathogens
Example: Antibodies (immunoglobulins) bind to bacteria, viruses, or toxins to mark them to be removed
Transport Proteins: Move molecules across membranes or throughout the body
Example: Hemoglobin carries oxygen in red blood cells
Hormonal proteins: Act as chemical messengers that regulate physiological processes
Example: Insulin regulates blood glucose levels
Motor/Contractile proteins: Responsible for movement at the cellular and organismal level
Example: Actin and myosin in muscle fibers enable contraction
Structural proteins: Provide support, shape, and strength to cells, tissues and organs.
Example: Collagen in connected tissues give strength and flexibility
Monomers: Amino acids (20 different types)
Polymers: Polypeptides that fold into proteins
Levels of the structure
Primary: Sequence of amino acids
Secondary: Alpha helices and beta sheets (Hydrogen bonds)
Tertiary: Overall 3D folding with disulfide bridges, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions
Quaternary: Multiple polypeptides together
Examples: Hemoglobin, ENZYMES, insulin, collagen
Genomics and proteomics
Genomics: Study of entire genomes ( All DNA in organisms)
Proteomics : Study of entire sets of proteins expressed by a cell, tissues, or organisms
Used in Medicine, biotechnology (CRISPR)
Nucleic Acids: Store genetic information (DNA), express genetic information (RNA), and energy transfer (ATP)
Monomers and Polymers
Monomers: Nucleotides
Structure: Nitrogenous base + pentose sugar + phosphate group
Bases in DNA and RNA
DNA: A-T and G-C
RNA: A-U and C-G
Polymers:
DNA: double helix shaped in an antiparallel strand, with complementary base pairing
RNA: Single stranded, used in protein synthesis
Bonds:
Phosphodiester bonds: Sugar-phosphate backbone
Hydrogen bonds: Between bases in DNA
Examples: DNA, RNA, ATP
Protein Synthesis:
Transcription: DNA gets unzipped by RNA polymerase and builds a messenger RNA (mRNA), and then it leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore
Translation: The ribosome attaches to the mRNA and the mRNA is read by codons and tRNA bring amino acids to the ribosome that has anticodons to match the codons. This creates a polypeptide (protein)