Macromolecule Research Paper

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Chemical reactions require energy to occur. Since energy cannot be created or destroyed, it must be transferred to where it is needed. Energy is stored in the bonds found in macromolecules, released in the breaking of these bonds, and can be recovered through recycling of molecules. Anabolism is the process of storing energy by putting macromolecules together through dehydration synthesis reactions, where water is released to create a bond. Macromolecules are made of smaller molecules and have a specific function in the cell. Energy is stored in the bonds that make up the macromolecule. Catabolism is the breaking down of a macromolecule to release energy and make smaller molecules to be used for other macromolecules. Catabolism is normally…show more content…
This reduces the amount of energy needed in the cell by using existing parts rather than making everything from scratch. Polymers like nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides can be broken down into their respective monomers. Most of these molecules break down quickly in the cell. Exonuclease cuts off one nucleotide at a time from an end of mRNA. Exosomes can cut mRNA from the opposite end. Proteases cut the peptide bonds between amino acids to create smaller, more usable polypeptides. Proteasomes are ring structures of proteins and proteases that digest proteins. Ubiquitin binds to proteins ready for breakdown. Some chemical reactions involve the transfer of electrons. A reduction-oxidation, or redox, reaction is when an electron moves from one molecule to another. Oxidation is when a molecule loses an electron. Reduction is when a molecule gains an electron. Energy intermediates like ATP can be produced in redox reactions. ATP is built through substrate level phosphorylation and chemiosmosis. In substrate level phosphorylation, an enzyme directly takes from one molecule and attaches it to ADP. In chemiosmosis, energy stored in an ion electrochemical gradient is used to make

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