This week we learned about Carbon and it’s role in biology. Carbon is abundant, versatile and tetravalent, meaning it can bond with 4 other atoms at once.
Isomers are molecules with the same molecular function but a different structure which means a different function because STRUCTURE DETERMINES FUNCTION. Isomers can be structural, cis/trans, or enantiomers.
There are 7 different functional groups.
We also learned about macromolecules, which accomplish all of life’s functions. There are four kinds of macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Macromolecules are made of monomers and polymers (repeating monomers).
Carbohydrates are sugars and starches, are made of CHO and are used for short term energy storage and structure. Monosaccharides: glucose, galactose, fructose. Disaccharides: maltose, sucrose, lactose. Polysaccharides: starch, glycogen.
Lips are fats, oils and waxes. They are made of CHO and are used for long term storage and insulation. Triglycerides (1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids) are connected by dehydration synthesis. Saturated means there are no double bonds and unsaturated means there are double bonds which allow for more flexibility.
Proteins are made up of CHONS and are used to accomplish all life functions. Proteins are amino acids connected by peptide bonds to form peptide chains. Proteins have a primary, secondary, tertiary and sometimes quatrinary structure which allows for very complex molecules. There are storage, structural, hormonal, defensive, transport, contretile, and motor, receptor, enymatic proteins to be responsible for all functions of life.
Sara Irvin- AP Biology 