About the 3 types of macromolecules?

Question

Can anybody give me a description about the structure, function, and examples of:

-carbohydrate

-lipid

-protein

This is one of my questions for my Bio. II homework and I'm having a bit of difficulty. Thanks.

Answer 1

Carbohydrates: These are biomacromolecules that contain C,H and O ONLY!

They are sugars at the simplest, the monomers are: glucose and fructose.

The monomers can be joined by whats called an ether (glycosidic) link to make larger polymers like glycogen.

The polymers vary in number and sizes of branches, structure and monomers used. CARBOHYDRATES SHOULD BE AVOIDED IF ONE WANTS TO LOSE WEIGHT!! The body breaks down Carbohydrates BEFORE it reaches the fats you want it to burn!

Lipids: These are fats (polymers) made up of monomers called fatty acids and a molecule called glycerol. Three fatty acids each for ester links with a respective OH- branch on a glycerol molecule (there are three branches for the three fatty acids) forming a tri-glyceride which is a type of lipid (there are various types of combinations which can be formed) Lipids are classified by the fatty acids that make them up.

Proteins: These biomacromolecules are made up of monomers called amino acids, these consist of an amino group (NH2), a varying R (or Z) group and a carboxyl acid croup (COOH) ATTACHED to the same carbon molecule! The are the last thing your body will burn if starved, and the building blocks of tissues. Proteins are essential in diet if one wishes to keep growing! They vary in monomer placement, sequence, an overall 3D structure (this is HIGHLY vital when dealing with Enzymes)