Four Main Macromolecules
The Four Main Macromolecules
Interestingly enough, all cells that build up an entire organism, such as the human body, only consist of water, inorganic ions, and organic compounds as three dominant components. Together, water and inorganic ions such as Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphate, etc. make up around 70% of the cell’s mass, while organic compounds make up the rest. Unlike its other two counterparts, organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen reactions that allow them to create, sustain, and diversify all life on Earth, using the ability of carbon as an element to form a variety of biological molecules through covalent bonding. Organic compounds (otherwise known as carbon compounds) often consist of smaller molecules being stored by …show more content…
Each carbohydrate molecule is made of one carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. A monosaccharide (simple sugar) is a structural form that consists of somewhere between 3-7 carbohydrate molecules attached together to form a chain. Two monosaccharides can be combined to form a larger carbohydrate molecule called a disaccharide. Polysaccharides are the largest of all the three combinations of carbohydrate molecules. Glucose and fructose are two examples of monosaccharides, and sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide because it can be formed by the combination of glucose and fructose molecules. Glycogen and starch are …show more content…
Glucose supplies energy that cells need to conduct cellular functions and processes. Glycogen, found in the liver and skeletal muscles, is a variant of glucose that also has a role in supplying energy to the body by breaking down into glucose when necessary. In plant cells, cellulose is an important carbohydrate that gives cell walls their structural support, which helps plants stand straight. Energy and physical support are two key purposes that carbohydrates serve to maintain homeostasis for cells and organisms overall.
In addition to carbohydrates, lipids are another type of macromolecules that are known for being hydrophobic and making up substances such as fats, oils, and waxes in many forms that provide various benefits to all organisms who need them. Lipids are made out of two main elements: carbon and hydrogen, while being consisted of fatty acids, glycerol, etc. The four main groups in which lipid molecules are classified are: fats, phospholipids, waxes, and
Interestingly enough, all cells that build up an entire organism, such as the human body, only consist of water, inorganic ions, and organic compounds as three dominant components. Together, water and inorganic ions such as Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphate, etc. make up around 70% of the cell’s mass, while organic compounds make up the rest. Unlike its other two counterparts, organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen reactions that allow them to create, sustain, and diversify all life on Earth, using the ability of carbon as an element to form a variety of biological molecules through covalent bonding. Organic compounds (otherwise known as carbon compounds) often consist of smaller molecules being stored by …show more content…
Each carbohydrate molecule is made of one carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. A monosaccharide (simple sugar) is a structural form that consists of somewhere between 3-7 carbohydrate molecules attached together to form a chain. Two monosaccharides can be combined to form a larger carbohydrate molecule called a disaccharide. Polysaccharides are the largest of all the three combinations of carbohydrate molecules. Glucose and fructose are two examples of monosaccharides, and sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide because it can be formed by the combination of glucose and fructose molecules. Glycogen and starch are …show more content…
Glucose supplies energy that cells need to conduct cellular functions and processes. Glycogen, found in the liver and skeletal muscles, is a variant of glucose that also has a role in supplying energy to the body by breaking down into glucose when necessary. In plant cells, cellulose is an important carbohydrate that gives cell walls their structural support, which helps plants stand straight. Energy and physical support are two key purposes that carbohydrates serve to maintain homeostasis for cells and organisms overall.
In addition to carbohydrates, lipids are another type of macromolecules that are known for being hydrophobic and making up substances such as fats, oils, and waxes in many forms that provide various benefits to all organisms who need them. Lipids are made out of two main elements: carbon and hydrogen, while being consisted of fatty acids, glycerol, etc. The four main groups in which lipid molecules are classified are: fats, phospholipids, waxes, and