Group 1: Proteins
a) Proteins are composed of amino acids, which consist of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a unique side chain (R group) connected to a central carbon atom called the alpha carbon.
b) Proteins have varied functions including structural support, transportation, defense, enzymatic catalysis, and regulation of gene expression.
c) Two examples of proteins include hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood, and insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
d) The monomer of proteins is the amino acid.
Group 2: Nucleic Acids
a) Nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides, which have three main components: a sugar molecule (deoxyribose or ribose), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine in DNA or adenine, uracil, cytosine, guanine in RNA).
b) The main function of nucleic acids is to store and transmit genetic information. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) carries the genetic code, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in protein synthesis.
c) Two examples of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.
d) The monomer of nucleic acids is the nucleotide.
All life on Earth is carbon based. Our carbon basis allows for the formation of complex molecules. Pick TWO of the four groups of complex carbon based molecules (macromolecules) and for each:
a) describe the structural components of the molecule group.
b) describe the main function of the group
c) give two examples of molecules that belong to each of the groups that you chose.
d) give the monomer
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