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BIOLlj 2

The document presents an enhanced comparison table of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, detailing their monomers, chemical nature, examples, and functions. It highlights the building blocks, specific characteristics, and diverse roles each macromolecule plays in biological systems. This comprehensive overview is designed to aid in studying for an upcoming quiz.

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littlebiologist9089
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10 views2 pages

BIOLlj 2

The document presents an enhanced comparison table of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, detailing their monomers, chemical nature, examples, and functions. It highlights the building blocks, specific characteristics, and diverse roles each macromolecule plays in biological systems. This comprehensive overview is designed to aid in studying for an upcoming quiz.

Uploaded by

littlebiologist9089
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Below is an enhanced table that compares carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids with

additional details. In creating this table, I reviewed several educational sources (such as Lumen
Learning and Chegg content) to incorporate more specific information on the monomer types,
their chemical nature, several examples, and multiple functions each macromolecule plays in
cells.

MACROMOLECULE MONOMER NATURE OF SPECIFIC SPECIFIC


BUILDING MONOMER EXAMPLES FUNCTIONS
BLOCKS
Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Simple sugars Glucose, Energy storage
(glucose, (CH₂O)n; fructose, (starch,
fructose, contain sucrose, glycogen);
galactose); aldehyde/ketone starch, structural
disaccharides groups and glycogen, support
(sucrose, lactose, hydroxyl cellulose, (cellulose,
maltose); groups; water- chitin chitin); cell
polysaccharides soluble signaling
(starch, (glycoproteins)
glycogen,
cellulose, chitin)

Lipids Fatty acids and Long Triglycerides, Long-term


glycerol (for hydrocarbon phospholipids, energy storage,
triglycerides); chains; steroids cell membrane
phospholipids hydrophobic; (cholesterol, structure,
and sterols (for saturated (single testosterone, insulation,
membranes) bonds) or estrogen), waxes signaling
unsaturated (hormones)
(double bonds)

Proteins Amino acids (20 Contain amino Enzymes Catalysis


types) (-NH₂) and (amylase, (enzymes),
carboxyl (- protease), structure
COOH) groups; structural (collagen),
linked by proteins transport
peptide bonds (collagen, (hemoglobin),
keratin), immune
hemoglobin, defense
antibodies (antibodies)

Nucleic Acids Nucleotides Made of sugar- DNA, RNA, Store genetic


(sugar, phosphate ATP information
phosphate, backbone with (DNA),
nitrogenous nitrogen bases protein
base) (A, T, C, G in synthesis
DNA; A, U, C, (RNA), energy
G in RNA) transfer (ATP)

Explanation of My Thought Process


1. Monomer Building Blocks: I noted that each macromolecule is
constructed from smaller units: simple sugars for carbohydrates, fatty
acids (with glycerol) for lipids, amino acids for proteins, and
nucleotides for nucleic acids.
2. Nature of Monomer: I described the chemical characteristics—for
example, carbohydrates are typically water-soluble and can form rings,
while lipids are hydrophobic; proteins have a unique sequence defined
by variable R groups; nucleotides have a defined sugar-phosphate
structure.
3. Specific Examples: Multiple examples were included for each class to
demonstrate diversity (e.g., both storage and structural
polysaccharides for carbohydrates; triglycerides, phospholipids, and
steroids for lipids).
4. Specific Functions: I provided several roles for each class,
highlighting energy storage, structural roles, catalysis, genetic
information storage, and signaling.
This table provides a comprehensive, detailed comparison that will help prepare you for the quiz.
Feel free to expand or format it further in MS Word to suit your study needs.

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