BIOL 102 Lecture 5: Chapter 5 Biology Lecture notes
Document Summary
Macromolecules are large molecules composed of thousands of covalently connected atoms. All living things are made up (predominantly) of four classes of large biological molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids. Carbohydrates serve as fuel and building material. Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules. Proteins include a diversity of structures, resulting in a wide range of functions. Nucleic acids store transmit, and help express hereditary information. Genomics and proteomics have transformed biological inquiry and applications. Most of the c atoms in a carbohydrate are linked to an h atom and a oh group. Most common are 5 or 6 carbons: pentoses ribose (c5h10o5, hexose - glucose (c6h12o6) Different ways to depict structures: ring or linear (ring forms in aqueous solution) Many monosaccharides linked together to form polymers. Examples: energy storage starch, glycogen, structural role cellulose, chitin. Chitin also structural polysaccharide, is found in arthropod exoskeletons. Chitin also provides structural support for fungal cell walls.
