Feedback
What do you think about us?
Your name
Your email
Message
Explore the structure and function of macromolecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, and their monomeric units. Understand the unique characteristics of lipids in biological systems. Delve into cell theory, the composition of cell membranes, and the specialized roles of organelles in eukaryotic cells. Learn about the dynamics of cell metabolism, the stages of cellular respiration, the transformative process of photosynthesis, and the intricate mechanisms of cell signaling. The text also covers the cell cycle and the principles of reproduction.
Show More
Monomers are smaller units that make up macromolecules such as monosaccharides, amino acids, and nucleotides
Sugar Monomers
Sugar monomers are the building blocks of carbohydrates, which serve as key energy sources and provide structural support within cells
Polymers
Polymers are long chains of monomers that make up carbohydrates
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which have diverse functions in enzyme catalysis, transport, signaling, and structural support
Diversity
Proteins are the most diverse macromolecules, with 20 different amino acids that can be combined in various ways to create different proteins
Nucleotide Polymers
Nucleotide polymers make up nucleic acids, which are crucial for the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information
Genetic Information
Nucleic acids play a central role in heredity and cellular function by storing and transmitting genetic information
Lipids are not typically composed of monomer-polymer chains, but are still classified as macromolecules due to their large and complex nature
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of lipid that serves as a storage form of energy
Phospholipids
Phospholipids are a type of lipid that make up cell membranes and play a role in cell signaling
Steroids
Steroids are a type of lipid that have various functions, including acting as signaling molecules and regulating cell membrane fluidity
Lipids are vital for constructing cell membranes, storing energy, and acting as signaling molecules due to their hydrophobic and nonpolar nature
Cell theory states that cells are the basic unit of life and all living organisms are composed of cells
Eukaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and can exist as single-celled or multicellular organisms
Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells
The cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol that serves as a barrier between the cell and its environment, while also playing roles in cell signaling, adhesion, and energy transduction
Nucleus
The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of the cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Apparatus
The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are involved in protein synthesis and transport
Lysosomes
Lysosomes contain enzymes for intracellular digestion
Chloroplasts and Vacuoles
Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis, while vacuoles serve as storage and structural support in plant cells
Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton maintains cell shape and enables intracellular transport and motility
Cell metabolism includes all the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism, serving to convert nutrients to energy, synthesize necessary molecules, and eliminate waste
Catabolic Pathways
Catabolic pathways break down molecules to release energy
Anabolic Pathways
Anabolic pathways build complex molecules from simpler ones, consuming energy
Enzymes are biological catalysts that regulate metabolic pathways and ensure efficient biochemical processes by lowering the activation energy of reactions
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, while releasing carbon dioxide and water as waste products
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates
Cell signaling is the mechanism by which cells detect, interpret, and respond to signals in their environment and from other cells
The cell cycle is the ordered sequence of events that a cell undergoes to grow and divide, including phases of growth, DNA replication, and cell division