Question

reading tool compare and contrast as you read, identify the similarities and differences between the different groups of macromolecules. take notes in the table below. circle elements that all of the compounds have in common. some boxes have been filled in for you.
table header: macromolecules; columns: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins; rows: examples, single units, elements, functions; filled entries: carbohydrates (examples: glucose, fructose, galactose); lipids (single units: fatty acids, glycerol); nucleic acids (elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus); proteins (functions: structure, control reactions, regulation, fight disease, receptors)

Answer:

To complete the table for macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins), we analyze each category:

1. Examples:

• Lipids: Examples include fats (e.g., triglycerides), oils, waxes, cholesterol, phospholipids.
• Nucleic Acids: Examples are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
• Proteins: Examples include enzymes (e.g., amylase), hemoglobin, insulin, keratin (hair/nails), antibodies.

2. Single Units (Monomers):

• Carbohydrates: Monomers are monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose—already listed as examples; larger carbs like starch are polymers of monosaccharides).
• Nucleic Acids: Monomers are nucleotides (each nucleotide has a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base).
• Proteins: Monomers are amino acids (20 common amino acids).

3. Elements:

• Carbohydrates: Contain \( \boldsymbol{\text{C, H, O}} \) (ratio ~\( \text{C}_n\text{H}_{2n}\text{O}_n \), e.g., glucose \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \)).
• Lipids: Contain \( \boldsymbol{\text{C, H, O}} \) (some lipids, like phospholipids, also have P; but most basic lipids like fats have C, H, O).
• Proteins: Contain \( \boldsymbol{\text{C, H, O, N}} \) (some also have S, e.g., cysteine in proteins).

4. Functions:

• Carbohydrates: Primary energy source (e.g., glucose for cellular respiration), energy storage (e.g., starch in plants, glycogen in animals), structural support (e.g., cellulose in plant cell walls, chitin in fungi/exoskeletons).
• Lipids: Energy storage (fats/oils), structural (phospholipids in cell membranes), insulation (fatty tissues), protection (waxes), signaling (steroid hormones like cholesterol/estrogen).
• Nucleic Acids: Store and transmit genetic information (DNA: hereditary material; RNA: protein synthesis, gene regulation, etc.).

Filled Table (Key Entries):

	Carbohydrates	Lipids	Nucleic Acids	Proteins
Single Units	monosaccharides (glucose, etc.)	fatty acids, glycerol	nucleotides	amino acids
Elements	C, H, O	C, H, O (± P)	C, H, O, N, P	C, H, O, N (± S)
Functions	Energy, storage, structure	Energy storage, structure, insulation	Genetic info storage/transmission	Structure, enzymes, regulation, immunity

Common Elements (Circle These):

All four macromolecule groups contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). Nucleic acids and proteins also include nitrogen (N); nucleic acids add phosphorus (P), and proteins may add sulfur (S).

If you need to fill specific cells (e.g., “Elements” for carbohydrates/lipids/proteins, or “Functions” for each), use the details above. For example:

• Carbohydrates - Elements: \( \text{C, H, O} \)
• Lipids - Elements: \( \text{C, H, O} \) (or \( \text{C, H, O, P} \) for phospholipids)
• Proteins - Elements: \( \text{C, H, O, N} \)
• Carbohydrates - Functions: “Energy source (glucose), energy storage (starch/glycogen), structural (cellulose/chitin)”
• Lipids - Functions: “Energy storage (fats), cell membrane structure (phospholipids), insulation (fat), hormones (cholesterol derivatives)”
• Nucleic Acids - Functions: “Store genetic info (DNA), protein synthesis (RNA)”

Let me know if you need help with a specific row/column!