Get Building Macromolecules Activity Answers 2020-2024

PROTEINS: are made of subunits called amino acids and are used to build cells and do much of the work inside organisms. They also act as enzymes helping to control metabolic reactions in organisms. Amino acids contain two functional groups, the carboxyl group (-COOH) and the amino group (-NH2).

Cells are called building blocks of life because they are basic structural and functional units of our life. In the different levels of organization in an organism, the cell acts as the basic unit.

As indivisible units of life, the cells of all organisms consist of four fundamental macromolecular components: nucleic acids (including DNA and RNA), proteins, lipids and glycans. From the construction, modification and interaction of these components, the cell develops and functions.

11.1 Introduction: The Four Major Macromolecules These are the carbohydrates, lipids (or fats), proteins, and nucleic acids.

The Four Macromolecules. All life is composed mainly of the four macromolecule building blocks: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The interactions of different polymers of these basic molecule types make up the majority of life's structure and function.

Macromolecules are also termed as polymers. They are formed by the polymerisation of molecules such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The monomer units of macromolecules are polar in nature, with their heads and tails with different physical and chemical properties.

There are four classes of macromolecules (polysaccharides or carbohydrates, triglycerides or lipids, polypeptides or proteins, and nucleic acids such as DNA & RNA).

Proteins are a class of macromolecules that can perform a diverse range of functions for the cell. They help in metabolism by providing structural support and by acting as enzymes, carriers or as hormones. The building blocks of proteins are amino acids.