What is a macromolecule?
A large molecule made of smaller subunits; the core of life.
What is a monosaccharide?
A simple sugar with a formula that's a multiple of $CH_2O$ (1:2:1 ratio).
What is a lipid?
A non-polar, hydrophobic macromolecule primarily composed of hydrocarbons; important for energy storage and insulation.
What is a saturated fatty acid?
A fatty acid with no double bonds between carbon atoms; contains the maximum number of hydrogen atoms and is solid at room temperature.
What is an unsaturated fatty acid?
A fatty acid with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms; liquid at room temperature.
What is a phospholipid?
A lipid consisting of 1 glycerol, 2 fatty acids, and 1 phosphate group; a major component of the cell membrane.
What is a protein?
A macromolecule made of amino acids joined by peptide bonds (polypeptides).
What is a nucleic acid?
A macromolecule made of nucleotide monomers; carries genetic information (DNA, RNA).
What is a nucleotide?
Monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
What are the differences between aldose and ketose sugars?
Aldose: Carbonyl group at the end (aldehyde) | Ketose: Carbonyl group in the middle (ketone).
What are the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
Saturated: No double bonds, solid at room temp | Unsaturated: One or more double bonds, liquid at room temp.
Compare and contrast DNA and RNA.
DNA: Deoxyribose sugar, Thymine base, double-stranded | RNA: Ribose sugar, Uracil base, single-stranded
What is the effect of a slight change in a protein's primary structure?
It can alter both the protein's structure and function.
What is the effect of hydrophobic tails of phospholipids in water?
They avoid water, forming the inner layer of the cell membrane.
