Introduction to macromolecules

Web Activity: Macromolecules in Cells

Open your web browser and navigate to:

http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/bionet/biol115/t2_basics_of_life/lesson2.htm

Read the introduction to Macromolecules and answer these questions:

1. What is a macromolecule? A macromolecule is a class of usually large molecules that are very important biologically. There are four different types of macromolecules they are: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Each of these have different functions that they perform in the cells.

2. What is a monomer? A monomer is a relatively small and simple molecules that bond together. They are the units responsible for the formation of a polymer.

3. What is a polymer? A polymer is a macromolecule that is built and broken down in the same way. It is made up or broken down by adding or subtracting monomers.

4. List the four main types of macromolecules.

1. Proteins

2. Lipids

3. Carbohydrates

4. Nucleic Acids

In the learning materials box click the link for the activity “making and breaking polymers.”  Use this activity to help answer the following questions:

5. What are the types of reactions that macromolecules are shown to undergo? The types of reactions that macromolecules are shown to undergo are,

6. Describe how monomers are joined together.

Monomers are joined together because of dehydration. 

7. Describe how polymers are broken down.

Polymers are broken down by hydrolysis. What happens is a water molecule comes in and breaks a covalent bond between two polymers.

8. What is the specific name for the bond between simple sugar monomers?

Glycosidic Linkages.

9. Which kind of enzyme joins monomers together?

Amino Acids are the kind of enzyme that join monomers together.


Back on the previous macromolecules page, scroll down to the section on carbohydrates. In the learning materials box for carbohydrates click the link to the “build a carbohydrate” activity.

10. Describe how you had to arrange the sugar monomers in order to build a polysaccharide.

I had to arrange the sugar monomers

11. Which building blocks of macromolecules are not used in building carbohydrates?

The building blocks that are not used to build carbohydrates are, fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotide.

Back on the previous carbohydrates page, click on the link on the bottom of the page labeled “More on Carbohydrates.”  Read the article and answer these questions:

12. Why is sugar stored as glycogen in the human body?

Glycogen is stored in the human body so that there is a ready source of glucose in the body.

13. Why are plant foods essential to animal life?

Plants provide the essential nutrients for the well being of life.

14. Describe how starch is digested by animals.

Starch is digested by animals because of amalyse which is an enzyme found in your mouth which breaks down starch into simple sugars.

15. What is “fiber” and why is it important in your diet?

Fiber is the several different types of carbohydrate polymers that are unable to be digested. The benefit of fiber is that it takes the toxicity from other foods out of the body.

16. What causes you to pass gas (fart) according to the article?

We pass gas because of undigested carbohydrates. If the gas is smelly it means there is increased protein and increased body ammonia.

Scroll back up to the top of the carbohydrates article and click on the link in the text to “Low Carbo Madness” and read the linked article. (or click here)

17. What are some disadvantages of a low-carb diet?

Some disadvantages of a low-carb diet are, they produce water loss and you don't gain any health from them. Some of the diets make you stay away from some vegetables, fruits and whole grains. So then you miss out on some critical nutrients.



Return to the original carbohydrates lesson page and click on the link on the bottom “Carbohydrates and Cavities” and read the linked page.

18. Describe the role that sugars play in cavity formation in your teeth.

Sugars form together and become a plaque which is very dangerous.