Macromolecules 9/25

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A macromolecule is a molecule containing a very large number of atoms. There are four different macromolecules. One being carbohydrates, another being nucleic acids, the third being lipids, and the fourth and last one being proteins. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Nucleic acids are made up of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and phosphorus. Lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lastly, proteins are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and some have sulfur. Each of  these macromolecules are very important to living organisms. This is due to the specific functions that each macromolecules perform for living organisms and cells. The function of carbohydrates, also known as carbs, is to provide energy for the cell and carbohydrates are components of some cell parts. The function of nucleic acids is that they contain DNA and RNA. This is important because DNA contains information that the cell needs to perform its functions, while the RNA has codes for making proteins for the cell. The function of lipids is to store energy for the cell. Proteins are parts of the cell membrane and form most of the organelles. Proteins also regulate growth and development and transport oxygen and other substances. In addition, proteins increase rate of chemical reactions that occur within the cell. Each macromolecule also has a monomer or many identical molecules that together form the complete polymer. Monomers can also be known as the simplest form of the macromolecule. The monomer of carbohydrates is saccharide, the monomer of nucleic acid is nucleotide, the monomer of lipids is fatty acid, and the monomer of proteins is amino acid.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I took notes providing a slide show we went through in class as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that an example of carbohydrates is pasta, using my notes as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that there were no other examples of nucleic acid, but because of some extra research now I think that there are many other examples of nucleic acid, one being fish. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on different examples of each macromolecule which I discussed with a partner I was working with. Together we figured out at least four different examples for each macromolecule.

XCC: Structure and Function

The structure of carbohydrates determines how the energy stored in carbohydrate bonds during photosynthesis and how breaking these bonds releases energy during cellular respiration. The function of nucleic acid depends on the structure because, the bases of the DNA molecule are grouped in threes called codons. These codons are complementary with a amino acid carrying RNA the other of the codons determines the order of the amino acids which determines protein function. The structure of lipids depends on it's structure because it's structure contains long chains of fatty acid C.H. bonds which break to give a great amount of energy. The function of protein depends on it's shape. More specifically, the structure of amino acids of protein determines it's function. None of the other macromolecules can perform the same functions as the other macromolecules.