Biological Macromolecules – AP Biology Flashcard

Large, complex molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

The smaller building blocks that join together to form polymers.

Large molecules made up of repeating monomer units.

Provide energy and serve as structural components in cells.

Simple carbohydrates (monosaccharides) and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides).

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units (e.g., glucose).

A carbohydrate made up of two monosaccharides linked together (e.g., sucrose).

A carbohydrate made up of long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen).

Chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

The unique linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Its three-dimensional shape or conformation, which is determined by its amino acid sequence.

Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information (e.g., DNA and RNA).

Nucleotides, which consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Serve as energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.

A type of lipid made from glycerol and three fatty acids, serving as a major form of energy storage.

Lipids that form the bilayer of cell membranes, consisting of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

A fatty acid with no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

A fatty acid containing one or more double bonds, usually liquid at room temperature.

They act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed.

A process where a protein loses its shape and function due to external stress, such as heat or pH changes.

The local folding patterns of a polypeptide chain, typically forming alpha helices or beta sheets.

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide, determined by interactions among R groups.

The arrangement of two or more polypeptide subunits in a multi-subunit protein.

Adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C).

A double helix formed by two antiparallel strands of nucleotides connected by base pairs.

Through the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein (the central dogma of molecular biology).

Sites of protein synthesis where mRNA is translated into polypeptides.

Serves as a messenger and plays roles in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

From the information encoded in mRNA during translation at the ribosomes.

Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.

They provide structure, energy, and support essential biochemical reactions in living organisms.