Question

Briefly explain how the structure of biological macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates) is related to their function. Use 2 specific example to clearly explain how the shape of a macromolecule affects it’s primary “job”. These examples need to be HEMOGLOBIN and GLUCOSE.

Answer 1

1st - haemoglobin - in haemoglobin there is presence of prosthetic haem group iron protoporphyrin associated with a polypeptide chain now due to its structure and iron present in haem group it makes space for 4 oxygen molecules and also binds to it by the help of iron. If the structure is not like this then the space for oxygen to bind will not be present and the work of iron would not be completed.

2nd - glucose it's structure is with a hexose ring which makes it more available for body and like as we know in respiration we need to break every carbon atom step by step and we get energy if it's structure is not like this then the carbon would not be broken so easily and making us to spend energy to break then we would not be able to survive or our basic unit of food would be something else.