Module 3: Biological Macromolecules

Living organisms must acquire or manufacture nutrients to survive. Many of these critical nutrients are biological macromolecules, or large molecules, necessary for life. Different smaller organic molecule (monomer) combinations build these macromolecules (polymers). What specific biological macromolecules do living things require? How do these molecules form? What functions do they serve? We explore these questions in this module.

1. Understand macromolecule synthesis (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
   
2. Explain dehydration (or condensation) and hydrolysis reactions (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
3. Discuss the role of carbohydrates in cells and in the extracellular materials of animals and plants (Course Outcome # 2)
4. Explain carbohydrate classifications (Course Outcome # 2)
5. List common monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides (Course Outcome # 2)
6. Describe the four major types of lipids (Course Outcome # 2)
7. Explain the role of fats in storing energy (Course Outcome # 2)
8. Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (Course Outcome # 2)
9. Describe phospholipids and their role in cells (Course Outcome # 2)
10. Define the basic structure of a steroid and some steroid functions (Course Outcome # 2)
11. Explain how cholesterol helps maintain the plasma membrane's fluid nature (Course Outcome # 2)
12. Describe the functions proteins perform in the cell and in tissues (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
13. Discuss the relationship between amino acids and proteins (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
14. Explain the four levels of protein organization (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
15. Describe the ways in which protein shape and function are linked (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
16. Describe nucleic acids' structure and define the two types of nucleic acids (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
17. Explain DNA's structure and role (Course Outcome # 2, #5)
18. Explain RNA's structure and roles (Course Outcome # 2, #5)

1. Read the Module 3 Introduction
   
2. Read and view the materials in the Module 3 Pressbooks book, embedded below by section for the chapter titled Biological Macromolecules. 
3. Complete the assignment and discussion forum post and response.

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities