Table of Contents
How do enzymes relate to macromolecules?
A specific enzyme breaks down each macromolecule. For instance, amylase, sucrase, lactase, or maltase break down carbohydrates. Enzymes called proteases, such as pepsin and peptidase, and hydrochloric acid break down proteins. Lipases break down lipids.
What macromolecule makes up an enzyme?
Proteins
Types of biological macromolecules
| Biological macromolecule | Building blocks | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lipids | Fatty acids and glycerol | Fats, phospholipids, waxes, oils, grease, steroids |
| Proteins | Amino acids | Keratin (found in hair and nails), hormones, enzymes, antibodies |
| Nucleic acids | Nucleotides | DNA, RNA |
How do enzymes break down macromolecules?
Polymers break down into monomers during hydrolysis. For example, catalytic enzymes in the digestive system hydrolyze or break down the food we ingest into smaller molecules. This allows cells in our body to easily absorb nutrients in the intestine. A specific enzyme breaks down each macromolecule.
How do enzymes break down polymers?
Polymers are broken down into monomers via hydrolysis reactions, in which a bond is broken, or lysed, by addition of a water molecule.
Why lipids are macromolecules?
Lipids are considered as macro-molecules because these are made up of glycerol combined with molecules of fatty acids.
What are the functions of macromolecules?
For example, macromolecules provide structural support, a source of stored fuel, the ability to store and retrieve genetic information, and the ability to speed biochemical reactions. Four major types of macromolecules—proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids—play these important roles in the life of a cell.
Why are lipids not considered to be macromolecules or polymers?
Lipids are not true macromolecules because the monomers are not covalently bonded together. Simple lipids are composed of subunits made of fatty acids covalently bonded to a triose sugar – glycerol.
Why are lipids so different from other macromolecules?
In terms of chemical composition, lipids differ from nucleic acids and proteins because they mostly just contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (except for phospholipids which of course contain phosphorous). Lipds and fats aren’t polymers – whereas most of the other macromolecules are polymers.
Why are lipids macromolecules but not polymers?
Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers. Lipids are not considered polymers because they do not have true monomers. They do have building blocks called glycerol and fatty acids.
Why do we need macromolecules in our body?
Gigantic molecules, called macromolecules, populate a cell and provide it with important functions for life. For example, macromolecules provide structural support, a source of stored fuel, the ability to store and retrieve genetic information, and the ability to speed biochemical reactions.