All life on Earth is carbon based. Our carbon basis allows for the formation of complex molecules. Pick TWO of the four groups of complex carbon based molecules (macromolecules) and for each:
a) describe the structural components of the molecule group.
b) describe the main function of the group
c) give two examples of molecules that belong to each of the groups that you chose.
d) give the monomer
Group 1: Proteins
a) Proteins are composed of amino acids, which consist of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a unique side chain (R group) connected to a central carbon atom called the alpha carbon.
b) Proteins have varied functions including structural support, transportation, defense, enzymatic catalysis, and regulation of gene expression.
c) Two examples of proteins include hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood, and insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
d) The monomer of proteins is the amino acid.
Group 2: Nucleic Acids
a) Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides, which have three main components: a sugar molecule (deoxyribose or ribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine in DNA or adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine in RNA).
b) The main function of nucleic acids is to store and transmit genetic information. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) carries the genetic code, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in protein synthesis.
c) Two examples of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.
d) The monomer of nucleic acids is the nucleotide.
Sure! Let's pick two groups of complex carbon-based molecules, namely proteins and nucleic acids.
1. Proteins:
a) Structural components: Proteins are composed of amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that consist of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a side chain (R-group), all bonded to a central carbon atom (alpha carbon).
b) Main function: Proteins serve a wide variety of functions in the body, including structural support, enzymatic activity, hormone production, transport of molecules, and immune response.
c) Examples of protein molecules:
- Hemoglobin: This protein, found in red blood cells, is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Insulin: Insulin is a protein hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.
d) Monomer: Amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins.
2. Nucleic acids:
a) Structural components: Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides. A nucleotide consists of three components: a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, or uracil).
b) Main function: Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information, as well as participate in protein synthesis and various cellular processes.
c) Examples of nucleic acid molecules:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): DNA is the genetic material that carries the hereditary information in almost all organisms.
- RNA (ribonucleic acid): RNA is involved in protein synthesis and plays a role in gene expression.
d) Monomer: Nucleotides are the monomers that make up nucleic acids.