My Macromolecules in Cells Web Activity

Web Activity: Macromolecules in Cells

Open your web browser and navigate to:

http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/bionet/biol115/t2_basics_of_life/lesson2.htm

Read the introduction to Macromolecules and answer these questions:

1. What is a macromolecule?

Macromolecules usually refer to a large group of molecules.

2. What is a monomer?

A monomer is something (one) that can be combined with other monomers to create polymers.

3. What is a polymer?

A polymer (multiple) is many monomers joined together.

4. List the four main types of macromolecules.

The four main types of macromolecules are proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.


In the learning materials box click the link for the activity “making and breaking polymers.”  Use this activity to help answer the following questions:

5. What are the types of reactions that macromolecules are shown to undergo?

Dehydration synthesis (condensation), and hydrolysis reaction (breaking down covalent bonds).

6. Describe how monomers are joined together.

Monomers might be made of sugars or like substances, allowing them to become linked together by the dehydration process.

7. Describe how polymers are broken down.

An addition of a water molecule breaks

8. What is the specific name for the bond between simple sugar monomers?

Dehydration synthesis (condensation).

9. Which kind of enzyme joins monomers together?

Covalent bond


Back on the previous macromolecules page, scroll down to the section on carbohydrates. In the learning materials box for carbohydrates click the link to the “build a carbohydrate” activity.

10. Describe how you had to arrange the sugar monomers in order to build a polysaccharide.

I had to move a monomer to match up with the certain elements on the other monomers to bond together and create the polysaccharide. A little water drop formed (probably meaning condensation), and the two bonded. Very neat!

11. Which building blocks of macromolecules are not used in building carbohydrates?

Nucleotide, Fatty Acid, and Amino Acid.

Back on the previous carbohydrates page, click on the link on the bottom of the page labeled “More on Carbohydrates.”  Read the article and answer these questions:

12. Why is sugar stored as glycogen in the human body?

Sugar is stored as glycogen in the human body for it to break down and absorb energy from.

13. Why are plant foods essential to animal life?

Those plant foods have sugar in them, which are also pretty good for giving energy.

14. Describe how starch is digested by animals.

Begins in the mouth with salivary amylase (spit), continuing in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase (stomach acid).

15. What is “fiber” and why is it important in your diet?

Carbohydrate polymers. It's important to your diet because it helps in absorption or neutralization of toxicity or other foods. Pretty much, it saves you from frying because of what you ate. AND it's great for the bowels! Keeps from getting bowel/colon cancer.

16. What causes you to pass gas (fart) according to the article?

Undigested protein and putrefaction cause this to happen. Protein-carbohydrate balance is important here. Stinky gas means you're eating bad. But if your farts don't stink (but there's no way they're gonna come out smelling like roses, so don't expect that!), then you can know that you're eating good and should keep it up!

Scroll back up to the top of the carbohydrates article and click on the link in the text to “Low Carbo Madness” and read the linked article. (or click here)

17. What are some disadvantages of a low-carb diet?

Your body must have approximately 45% to 65% of what it eats to be calories from carbohydrates in order to maintain function.



Return to the original carbohydrates lesson page and click on the link on the bottom “Carbohydrates and Cavities” and read the linked page.

18. Describe the role that sugars play in cavity formation in your teeth.

acid-producing bugs, carbohydrates, and teeth. These add up to cavities. Some preople don't have enough acid in their mouth produced in order to break down certain foods, so they sit in their teeth and rot, making cavities form.