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Life is based on carbon compounds, that seem complex, but are all just made from smaller divisions (monomers), that then link together to form polymers.
| Macromolecule (Polymer) | Smallest Unit (Monomer) | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate | Monosaccharides | Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. |
| Lipids | Fatty Acids and Glycerol | Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. |
| Proteins | Amino acids | Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Other elements are also often present, for example sulphur and phosphorus |
| Nucleic acids(DNA & RNA) | Nucleotides | Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus. |
Condensation and Hydrolysis...
Parts of Metabolism. thus enzyme-catalyzed. Condensation is an anabolic reaction. During condensation an H2O molecule is released and two monomers are joined with a strong covalent bond. Reversely, during Hydrolysis, a catabolic reaction, H2O molecule is split and replaced into two monomers, broken down from a polymer. Hydrolysis takes place during digestion.
| Macromolecule | Bonds between monomers |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Glycosidic |
| Lipids | Esther |
| Proteins | Peptide |