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Composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (4 total) Contains nitrogenous bases Examples include glucose, starch, cellulose Subunits abundant component of cell membrane Includes enzymes acids Subunits are nucleotides Subunits are saccharides Two types are RNA and DNA

Ask by Gardner Hampton. in the United States
Jan 22,2025

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The four major types of biological macromolecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, including examples like glucose and starch. Proteins contain nitrogenous bases and are made of amino acids, with functions like enzymes. Lipids are part of cell membranes and include fats and phospholipids. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are made of nucleotides and store genetic information.

Solution

The clues you've provided correspond to the four major classes of biological macromolecules: **Carbohydrates**, **Proteins**, **Lipids**, and **Nucleic Acids**. Here's how each clue aligns with these macromolecules: 1. **Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (4 Total)** - **Carbohydrates** are primarily made up of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), typically in a ratio that mirrors water (H₂O), hence the name "carbohydrate." 2. **Contains Nitrogenous Bases** - **Nucleic Acids** (DNA and RNA) contain nitrogenous bases such as adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U in RNA). 3. **Examples Include Glucose, Starch, Cellulose** - These are all **Carbohydrates**: - **Glucose** is a simple sugar (monosaccharide). - **Starch** is a storage form of glucose in plants (polysaccharide). - **Cellulose** is a structural component in plant cell walls (polysaccharide). 4. **Subunits Abundant Component of Cell Membrane Includes Enzymes, Acids** - This clue seems to combine aspects of both **Lipids** and **Proteins**: - **Lipids** (specifically phospholipids) are a major component of cell membranes. - **Proteins** include enzymes, which catalyze biochemical reactions. 5. **Subunits are Nucleotides** - **Nucleic Acids** are polymers made up of **nucleotides**, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. 6. **Subunits are Saccharides** - **Carbohydrates** are polymers made up of **saccharides** (sugar units). 7. **Two Types are RNA and DNA** - **Nucleic Acids** come in two primary forms: - **DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)** - **RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)** ### Summary of the Four Major Macromolecules: 1. **Carbohydrates** - **Composition:** Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen - **Subunits:** Saccharides (e.g., glucose) - **Functions:** Energy storage (starch), structural support (cellulose) 2. **Proteins** - **Composition:** Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen (and sometimes sulfur) - **Subunits:** Amino acids - **Functions:** Enzymatic catalysis, structural roles, signaling 3. **Lipids** - **Composition:** Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (often more hydrogen and less oxygen) - **Subunits:** Fatty acids and glycerol (in triglycerides), phospholipids in membranes - **Functions:** Energy storage, membrane structure, signaling molecules 4. **Nucleic Acids** - **Composition:** Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus - **Subunits:** Nucleotides - **Functions:** Genetic information storage and transfer (DNA and RNA) Each of these macromolecules plays a critical role in the structure and function of living organisms. Understanding their composition, subunits, and functions is fundamental in the study of biology and biochemistry.

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The Deep Dive

Did you know that carbohydrates, like glucose and starch, are not only vital for energy but also play a critical role in plant structure as cellulose? In fact, cellulose is what gives plants their strength and rigidity, making it a key player in the food chain, as herbivores rely on it for nourishment, while humans benefit from its fiber content for digestive health! On the other hand, nucleic acids, primarily DNA and RNA, are essential for genetic information storage and transfer. DNA, which holds the instructions for life, is shaped like a double helix, while RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. Their discovery has revolutionized biology, leading to advancements in genetic engineering, medicine, and understanding evolution, making them the stars of modern science!

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