Name _____________KEY_________________ Period ___ Date _________

Macromolecules Chart

A. Carbohydrates
Elements

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

Basic subunit

Monosaccharide

(CH2O)n

Draw structure of a monosaccharide/disaccharide/polysaccharide

Function/Why its important

Provides energy to cells

Short term energy
storage
Forms body and cell
structures

Examples/Where it is found

Sugars
Starches
Fruits
Vegetables
Potatoes, bread
Plant cell walls

1. Where do we mainly find organic compounds? ___in living organisms_______________________________________

2. What is the main element found in organic compounds? ____carbon_______________________________________________
3. What allows carbon to be able to form so many large and complex molecules that are essential to life? ____Carbon has the ability to

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

form stable bonds with many elements including itself. This allows it for form a large variety of
molecules.
What is the carbohydrate that provides structural support to plant cells? Cellulose
Which carbohydrate compound do plants use to store energy? Starch
Which carbohydrate compound do animals use to store energy? Glycogen
What is the chemical formula for glucose? C6H12O6
What is the difference between monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides? Monosaccharides are made of one sugar
unit, Disaccharides are two sugar units bonded together, polysaccharides are made of many sugar
units.

B. Lipids
Elements

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Draw a triglyceride and phospholipid bilayer

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Basic subunit

Fatty Acids

Function/Why its important

Long term
energy storage
in organisms
Forms cell
membranes
(phospholipids)
Carries
messages
(steroids)

Examples/Where it is found

Fats, oils,
waxes
Found in animal
fat layers
(blubber)
Cell membranes
(phospholipids)

What special property do lipids have concerning water? They do not dissolve in water
What are phospholipids? Two fatty acid chains attached to a phosphate molecule.
Why are phospholipids important to the cell? They form the cell membrane
What is the main function of triglycerides? Main form of stored energy in animals
What do steroids do? Serve as chemical messengers
What is the MAIN function of lipids in organisms? Long term energy storage
Which type of fatty acids do plants use to store energy? Unsaturated fatty acids
Why are unsaturated fatty acids liquid at room temperature? The fatty acid chains are bent and cannot pack together into a solid.
Based on the reading about unsaturated fatty acids, why do you think unsaturated fats are better to consume than saturated fats? They are healthier and
do not clog up your arteries as much.

C. Proteins
Elements

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Sulfur(sometimes)

Basic subunit

Amino Acids

Draw an amino acid/polypeptide chain/protein

Function/Why its important

Helps cells keep

shape
Makes up
muscles
Speed up
chemical
reactions
(enzymes)
Carries
messages and
materials

Examples/Where it is found

Muscles
Enzymes
Antibodies
Hormones
Found in meat,
hair, nails,
feathers

How many different building blocks of proteins are there? 20

How many amino acids would a large protein contain? Over 1000
*** There are over 100,000 different proteins!
A chain of amino acids is called a polypeptide
The structure (shape) of a protein determines its function
List three functions of proteins speed up reactions, carry messages, structural, fight infection
An antibody is a protein. What is its function? To help fight infection. They bind to bacteria and target them for destruction
by white blood cells
24. Why is the hemoglobin protein important for people? It allows the blood to carry oxygen from lungs throughout the body.
25. FSH, LH, estrogen & progesterone are all examples of hormones
26. What element is in a protein that is not in carbohydrates or lipids? Nitrogen and sulfur
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.

D. Nucleic acids
Elements

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus

Basic subunit

Nucleotide

Draw a nucleotide/DNA/RNA

Function/Why its important

Examples/Where it is found

Contains
instructions for
making
proteins.
Passes genetic
information
from parent to
offspring.
Helps assemble
proteins.

DNA found in
the nucleus of
the cell
RNA found in
the cytoplasm
of the cell

27. What elements are in nucleic acids that are not in carbohydrates or lipids? ____Nitrogen, Phosphorus_
28. What is the purpose of the DNA code? __to pass genetic information from parent to offspring, carries instructions for
making proteins
29. What are the differences between the two major types of nucleic acids? RNA is single stranded, has uracil and assembles the amino
acids into the polypeptide chain. DNA is double stranded, has thymine and carries the code (recipe) for
making proteins.
30. What are the components (parts) that make up the structure of a nucleotide? Five carbon sugar, phosphate group and one of four
nitrogenous bases