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Properties of Macromolecules definitions

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  • Polymerization
    Sequential assembly of large biological structures from individual subunits, crucial for forming polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins.
  • Condensation Reaction
    Chemical process joining monomers by releasing water, enabling the formation of complex macromolecules.
  • Hydrolysis Reaction
    Breakdown of polymers into monomers by adding water, reversing the process of condensation reactions.
  • Monomer
    Small molecular subunit, such as an amino acid or monosaccharide, that serves as a building block for macromolecules.
  • Amino Acid
    Organic molecule with amino, carboxyl, and R groups, serving as the fundamental unit of proteins.
  • Monosaccharide
    Simple sugar unit that forms the basic building block of polysaccharides.
  • Stereoisomer
    Mirror-image molecular forms arising from an asymmetric carbon, with only specific types being biologically active.
  • Chiral Center
    Asymmetric carbon atom bonded to four different groups, giving rise to distinct stereoisomers.
  • Non-covalent Bond
    Weak chemical interaction, such as hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interaction, whose collective effect stabilizes macromolecular structures.
  • Conformation
    Three-dimensional shape of a macromolecule, influenced by the arrangement and interaction of non-covalent bonds.
  • Polysaccharide
    Large carbohydrate polymer formed by repeated condensation of monosaccharide units.
  • Nucleic Acid
    Polymer composed of nucleotide monomers, essential for genetic information storage and transfer.
  • Protein
    Macromolecule formed by linear polymerization of amino acids, with structure and function determined by monomer sequence.
  • Functional Group
    Specific group of atoms within a molecule, such as the R group in amino acids, conferring distinct chemical properties.
  • Electrostatic Interaction
    Type of non-covalent bond resulting from attraction between oppositely charged groups, contributing to macromolecular stability.