Biochemistry

Lesson 1.2

Elements and Macromolecules

1.2a. Introduction to Macromolecules

1.2.3. Organic Macromolecule Structure

1. Protein Structure (made up of chains of amino acids that include nitrogen; example amino acid alanine is pictured below)

Figure 1.2.3 Amino Acid Alanine / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported 

Figure 1.2.4 Protein Primary Structure by National Human Genome Research Institute / Public Domain 

Figure 1.2.5 Protein Structure by OpenStax College / Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported 

Please look at Figure 1.2.5. In the space below, please describe the differences between primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins.

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2. Carbohydrate Structure (made up of chains of simple sugars; example polysaccharide amylose, disaccharide lactose and monosaccharides galactose and glucose are pictured below)

Figure 1.2.6 Amylose / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

3. Lipid Structure (made up of fatty acids and glycerols; example fatty acid, triglyceride, phospholipid, cholesterol and phospholipid bilayer of cell membrane are pictured below)

Figure 1.2.7 Common lipids by Lmaps / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Figure 1.2.8 Cell membrane by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Please look at Figure 1.2.8 of a cell membrane. Please list the different types of organic macromolecules that are found in the cell membrane.

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2. _________________________
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4. Nucleic Acid Structure (made up of nucleotides; example DNA and RNA are pictured below)

Figure 1.2.8 Difference between DNA and RNA by Sponk / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Figure 1.2.9 RNA by Sponk / Public Domain

Vocabulary Check: Please fill in the vocabulary table found at the beginning of this lesson for terms 2-6 (definitions and extra practice).

Practice: Please fill in the chart below comparing and contrasting proteins and carbohydrates.