This week in AP Biology we learned about macromolecules, which are large molecules made up of many atoms bonded together. We also learned about cellular energetics, which is how energy is used in cells.

There are four main types of macromolecules; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

• Carbohydrates are sugars and starches, and they are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are used for short term energy storage and for structure.

• Lipids are fats, oils, and waxes, which are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These macrmolecules are used for long term energy storage and insulation.

• Proteins are the most complex biological molecules, made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. They are used for all life functions.

In cellular energetics, organisms are energy processing systems. At first I thought organisms were much more than that, but as we learned more I realized that is basically what organisms do. This relates to Big Idea 2.A.2: Organisms capture and store free energy for use in biological processes.

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Macromolecules Image

Carbohydrates Image

Lipids Image

Proteins Image