Building blocks of cells

• What are the building blocks?

  • amino acids -> proteins
  • nucleobases -> DNA and RNA
  • simple carbohydrates -> complex carbohydrates
  • glycerol, fatty acids -> lipids
  • hydrocarbon rings -> lipids
• Proteins convert into macromolecules.
• How are macromolecules formed?

  They are formed by building blocks together in a linear fashion. This will create a function that is necessary for our life. They are composed of thousands of atoms that give it a large amount of mass making it heavy weight.
• What are the 4 levels of carbohydrates?

  1. Monosaccharides
  2. Disaccharides
  3. Oligosaccharides
  4. Polysaccarides
• What are monosaccharides and the 2 types?

  They are a single unit of carbohydrates.

  2 types:

  1. Pentose
  2. Hexose
• What is Pentose?

  Building blocks of higher order of carbohydrates and form parts of informational molecules (DNA AND RNA).
• What is hexose?

  Usually part of larger molecules and are used and joined together to form complex carbohydrates.
• What is the difference bwteen the DNA and RNA pentose?

  It is what is hanging off the second carbohydrate.

  DNA: has a hydrogen

  RNA: has a hydroxyl
• What is a disaccharide?

  They are 2 units of carbohydrates.
• What is a oligosaccharide?

  Several monosaccharides joined together.
• What is a polysaccharide?

  Many more monosaccharides joined together.
• What is an Amylose?

  Each hexagonals is a glucose monomer.
• What is a Amylopectin?

  It is more branched. It makes up starch.
• What is a glycogen?

  A complex carbohydrate stored in the body and a lot more branched.
• What is the function of a carbohydrate?

  1. Recognition
  2. Energy molecule
  3. Structure roles
• Describe Recognition function?

  There are different types of carbohydrates, it will recognise pathogens (bacteria and viruses) and also use for teamwork.
• Describe energy molecule function?

  We chop glucose molecule and the mitochondria to produce energy.
• What are the informational molecules?

  DNA and RNA
• How many components are made in nucleotide?

  3
• What are the components in nucleotide?

  1. Phosphate group
  2. RNA
  3. Ribose sugar
• Nucleic acids act as polymers of nucleotides.
• What are proteins?

  They are made from building blocks of amino acids. They all have the same structure except the R group. They carry out functions.

  The cell will make proteins based on the information given to them.
• What are lipids?

  They are large and chunky. They are not polymers, and are heterogeneous and hydrophobic.
• What are the functions of lipids?

  1. Structural support - phospholipids
  2. Regulatory function
  3. Energy