In dehydration synthesis reactions, a water molecule is formed as a result of generating a covalent bond between two monomeric components in a larger polymer. In hydrolysis reactions, a water molecule is consumed as a result of breaking the covalent bond holding together two components of a polymer.
In our bodies, food is first hydrolyzed, or broken down, into smaller molecules by catalytic enzymes in the digestive tract. This allows for easy absorption of nutrients by cells in the intestine. Each macromolecule is broken down by a specific enzyme. For instance, carbohydrates are broken down by amylase, sucrase, lactase, or maltase.
Proteins are broken down by the enzymes trypsin, pepsin, peptidase and others. Lipids are broken down by lipases. Once the smaller metabolites that result from these hydrolytic enzymezes are absorbed by cells in the body, they are further broken down by other enzymes. The breakdown of these macromolecules is an overall energy-releasing process and provides energy for cellular activities.
Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Biological Macromolecules. Search for:. Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules. Types of Biological Macromolecules Biological macromolecules, the large molecules necessary for life, include carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Learning Objectives Identify the four major classes of biological macromolecules. Key Takeaways Key Points Biological macromolecules are important cellular components and perform a wide array of functions necessary for the survival and growth of living organisms.
The four major classes of biological macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Key Terms polymer : A relatively large molecule consisting of a chain or network of many identical or similar monomers chemically bonded to each other. Dehydration Synthesis In dehydration synthesis, monomers combine with each other via covalent bonds to form polymers. Learning Objectives Explain dehydration or condensation reactions.
Key Takeaways Key Points During dehydration synthesis, either the hydrogen of one monomer combines with the hydroxyl group of another monomer releasing a molecule of water, or two hydrogens from one monomer combine with one oxygen from the other monomer releasing a molecule of water.
The monomers that are joined via dehydration synthesis reactions share electrons and form covalent bonds with each other. As additional monomers join via multiple dehydration synthesis reactions, this chain of repeating monomers begins to form a polymer. Complex carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and proteins are all examples of polymers that are formed by dehydration synthesis. Monomers like glucose can join together in different ways and produce a variety of polymers.
Monomers like mononucleotides and amino acids join together in different sequences to produce a variety of polymers. Key Terms covalent bond : A type of chemical bond where two atoms are connected to each other by the sharing of two or more electrons. Hydrolysis Hydrolysis reactions result in the breakdown of polymers into monomers by using a water molecule and an enzymatic catalyst. Learning Objectives Explain hydrolysis reactions. Biological macromolecules are ingested and hydrolyzed in the digestive tract to form smaller molecules that can be absorbed by cells and then further broken down to release energy.
Key Terms enzyme : a globular protein that catalyses a biological chemical reaction hydrolysis : A chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond by the addition of water. One glucose gets a hydroxyl group at the site of the former covalent bond, the other glucose gets a hydrogen atom.
This is the reverse of the dehydration synthesis reaction joining these two monomers. One amino acid gets an oxygen atom and a negative charge, the other amino acid gets two hydrogen atoms and a positive charge. Provided by : Boundless. October 16, October 23, Provided by : Wikibooks. Located at : en. Provided by : Wiktionary.
Amino acids can be linked into long chains through condensation reactions. One of the hydrogen atoms bonded to the nitrogen atom of an amino acid reacts with the —OH group attached to the terminal carbon on another amino acid. Since both ends of the molecule can participate in condensation reactions, peptide bonds can be made in both directions to create a long amino acid chain. Skip to content Biological Macromolecules. Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Understand macromolecule synthesis Explain dehydration or condensation and hydrolysis reactions.
Dehydration Synthesis Most macromolecules are made from single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. In the process, it forms a water molecule. Hydrolysis Polymers break down into monomers during hydrolysis. In the hydrolysis reaction here, the disaccharide maltose breaks down to form two glucose monomers by adding a water molecule.
Note that this reaction is the reverse of the synthesis reaction in Figure. Link to Learning. Section Summary Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids are the four major classes of biological macromolecules—large molecules necessary for life that are built from smaller organic molecules. Review Questions Dehydration synthesis leads to formation of monomers polymers water and polymers none of the above. Critical Thinking Questions Why are biological macromolecules considered organic?
Biological macromolecules are organic because they contain carbon. What role do electrons play in dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis? Glossary biological macromolecule large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules dehydration synthesis also, condensation reaction that links monomer molecules, releasing a water molecule for each bond formed hydrolysis reaction that causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules by utilizing water monomer smallest unit of larger molecules that are polymers polymer chain of monomer residues that covalent bonds link; polymerization is the process of polymer formation from monomers by condensation.
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