Unit 2 Reflection

This unit, ¨Miniature Biology¨ was about the molecules that make up life. It focused on four main macro-molecules, Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates, are ring and chains of rings. Their main function is energy storage. Single ring molecules are called monosaccharides, and generally taste sweet. Carbohydrates that are made up of two rings are called disaccharides. Finally polysaccharides are chains of at least three rings.

Lipids are long chains of carbon and hydrogen. Lipids are also used for energy storage. Phospholipid has hydrophyllic head, and a hydrophobic head, which allows it create a double layer in water.

Proteins are long chains of amino acids. They have many functions including supporting cell, helping cell communicate, and speeding up chemical reaction. One specific type of protein is called an enzyme, and its function is to speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy. It only works in a specific pH and temperature. If it goes outside of that it will denature.

Nucleic acids are a chain of neucleotide arranged into a double helix. Their primary function is to pass down information, but ATP(Adenine tri-phosphate) is used for energy transfer.

We also learned about different types of molecular bonds. One type is an ionic bond, which is when an electron gets transferred, and covalent bonds, which is when an electron is shared. There is also a hydrogen bond, which is what creates cohesion,adhesion,ad capillary action.