Chapter 2, Problem 1E

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Generally, four basic kinds of biological macromolecules are available in biological system. These molecules made up of different monomers and serve diverse functions and identified as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

Answer to Problem 1E

Solution:

Correct answer is option (b) phospholipids.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option (b) phospholipid. Generally, phospholipid molecules consist of hydrophilic head consisting of a phosphate group and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails. Phospholipids are a type of lipids and component of all cell membranes; they are capable to make lipid bilayers on plasma membrane due to its amphiphilic characteristic. Hence, option (b) phospholipid is not a polymer and it is a correct answer.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option (a) polysaccharide. Biological polymers are made up of individual smaller molecules are called monomers. Polysaccharide molecules composed of sugar monomers and its monomers are known as monosaccharide.

Option (c) Proteins, Proteins are composed of monomers which known as amino acid.   Due to variably in amino acid sequences and its conformation they exhibit variety of functions  such as transportation of molecules and muscle movement. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option (d) nucleic acids , nucleic acids molecules consist of nucleotide monomers which linked together and make a polynucleotide chains. Nucleic acids are two types as DNA and RNA . These molecules help in protein synthesis and transfer genetic information from one generation to the next generation. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Conclusion

Polymer is a complex structure that consists of monomers of bimolecul. They play verity of function for survival and maintains of cells. Hence, phospholipid is not made up of monomer unit of lipid and not polymer, the correct answer is option (b).