Chapter 5 - The structure and function of macromolecules. In this chapter, you should be able to: List and describe the four major classes of organic molecules; explain: monomers, polymers, dehydration synthesis with the type of covalent bond for each; distinguish between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. | Chapter 5 The Structure and Function of Macromolecules Overview: The Molecules of Life Another level in the hierarchy of biological organization is reached when small organic molecules are joined together Macromolecules Are large molecules composed of smaller molecules Are complex in their structures Figure Concept : Most macromolecules are polymers, built from monomers Three of the classes of life’s organic molecules are polymers Carbohydrates Proteins Nucleic acids A polymer Is a long molecule consisting of many similar building blocks called monomers The Synthesis and Breakdown of Polymers Monomers form larger molecules by condensation reactions called dehydration reactions (a) Dehydration reaction in the synthesis of a polymer HO H 1 2 3 HO HO H 1 2 3 4 H H2O Short polymer Unlinked monomer Longer polymer Dehydration removes a water molecule, forming a new bond Figure Polymers can disassemble by Hydrolysis (b) Hydrolysis of a polymer HO 1 2 3 H HO H 1 2 3 4 H2O H HO Hydrolysis adds a water molecule, breaking a bond Figure The Diversity of Polymers Each class of polymer Is formed from a specific set of monomers 1 2 3 HO H Although organisms share the same limited number of monomer types, each organism is unique based on the arrangement of monomers into polymers An immense variety of polymers can be built from a small set of monomers Concept : Carbohydrates serve as fuel and building material Carbohydrates Include both sugars and their polymers Sugars Monosaccharides Are the simplest sugars Can be used for fuel Can be converted into other organic molecules Can be combined into polymers Examples of monosaccharides Triose sugars (C3H6O3) Pentose sugars (C5H10O5) Hexose sugars (C6H12O6) H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH HO C H H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH HO C H HO C H H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH H C OH C O C O H C OH H C OH H C OH HO C H H C OH C O H H H H H H H H H H H H H H C C C C O O O O Aldoses . | Chapter 5 The Structure and Function of Macromolecules Overview: The Molecules of Life Another level in the hierarchy of biological organization is reached when small organic molecules are joined together Macromolecules Are large molecules composed of smaller molecules Are complex in their structures Figure Concept : Most macromolecules are polymers, built from monomers Three of the classes of life’s organic molecules are polymers Carbohydrates Proteins Nucleic acids A polymer Is a long molecule consisting of many similar building blocks called monomers The Synthesis and Breakdown of Polymers Monomers form larger molecules by condensation reactions called dehydration reactions (a) Dehydration reaction in the synthesis of a polymer HO H 1 2 3 HO HO H 1 2 3 4 H H2O Short polymer Unlinked monomer Longer polymer Dehydration removes a water molecule, forming a new bond Figure Polymers can disassemble by Hydrolysis (b) Hydrolysis of a polymer HO 1 2 3 H HO H 1 2 3 4 H2O H HO .
