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{{Image|Muncprotein.jpg|right|175px|Inman M ( ) Shape of a common protein module suggests role as molecular switch.}}
{| class="toccolours" border="1" style="float: right; clear: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding=3
'''[[Macromolecular chemistry]]''' is the study of the physical, biological and chemical structure, properties, composition, and reaction mechanisms of [[macromolecules]]. A macromolecule is a molecule that consists of one or more types of repeated 'building blocks'. The building blocks are called  [[Monomer|monomeric unit]]s (monomers).  
! colspan="7" align="center" style="background:#cccccc;"| Specific heat ratio of various gases
|-
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | Gas
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | °C
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | '''''k'''''
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" width="2" rowspan="17"|  
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | Gas
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | °C
| bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | '''''k'''''
|-
| rowspan="7" align="center" | H<sub>2</sub>
| align="center" |−181
| 1.597
| rowspan="4" align="center" | Dry<BR>Air
| align="center" |20
| 1.40
|-
| align="center" |−76
| 1.453
| align="center" |100
| 1.401
|-
| align="center" |20
| 1.41
| align="center" |200
| 1.398
|-
| align="center" |100
| 1.404
| align="center" |400
| 1.393
|-
| align="center" |400
| 1.387
| rowspan="4" align="center" | CO<sub>2</sub>
| align="center" |0
| 1.310
|-
| align="center" |1000
| 1.358
| align="center" |20
| 1.30
|-
| align="center" |2000
| 1.318
| align="center" |100
| 1.281
|-
| align="center" | He
| align="center" |20
| 1.66
| align="center" |400
| 1.235
|-
|rowspan="2" align="center"|N<sub>2</sub>
| align="center" |−181
| 1.47
| align="center" |NH<sub>3</sub>
| align="center" |15
| 1.310
|-
| align="center" |15
| 1.404
| align="center" | CO
| align="center" |20
| 1.40
|-
| align="center"|Cl<sub>2</sub>
| align="center" |20
| 1.34
| rowspan="6" align="center" | O<sub>2</sub>
| align="center" |−181
| 1.45
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Ar
| align="center" |−180
| 1.76
| align="center" |−76
| 1.415
|-
| align="center" |20
| 1.67
| align="center" |20
| 1.40
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center" | CH<sub>4</sub>
| align="center" |−115
| 1.41
| align="center" |100
| 1.399
|-
| align="center" |−74
| 1.35
| align="center" |200
| 1.397
|-
| align="center" |20
| 1.32
| align="center" |400
| 1.394
|}


Macromolecules (also known as polymer molecules) appear in daily life in the form of [[plastic]], [[styrofoam]], [[nylon]], etc. These [[polymer]]s, i.e., substances consisting of polymer molecules, are of great technological importance and are used in the manufacturing of all sorts of goods, from automobile parts to household appliances. The artificial polymer molecules usually exist of long repetitions of identical monomers, either in chains or networks.
The '''[[specific heat ratio]]''' of a gas is the ratio of the specific heat at constant pressure, <math>C_p</math>, to the specific heat at constant volume, <math>C_v</math>. It is sometimes  referred to as the '''adiabatic index''' or the '''heat capacity ratio''' or the '''isentropic expansion factor''' or the '''adiabatic exponent''' or the '''isentropic exponent'''.


In molecular biology macromolecules (biopolymers) play a very important role: the well-known molecules [[DNA]], [[RNA]], and [[polypeptides]] ([[proteins]]) are examples of macromolecules. In molecular biology one is mostly interested in  macromolecules in solution, usually dissolved in water.  The biological function  of macromolecules in living cells is  a highly relevant and widely studied topic of research. Although, strictly speaking, biopolymers belong to the class of polymer molecules, there is a tendency not to use the latter name in biological applications, but to speak of macromolecules. The term "polymer"  is usually reserved  for the substances  manufactured in bulk by the chemical industry. 
Either <math>\kappa</math> (kappa), <math>k</math> (Roman letter k) or <math>\gamma</math> (gamma) may be used to denote the specific heat ratio:


In industry, the value of synthetic macromolecules as plastics and nylon, has risen enormously over the last 60 years. They have made it possible to mould shapes that would have been impossible to create without them. When they were first developed, their resistance to rupture and degradation was seen as a profound advantage, but nowadays we seek more biologically degradable plastics such as polyethyleneglycol that pollute the environment less.
:<math>\kappa = k = \gamma = \frac{C_p}{C_v}</math>


Biological macromolecules include, besides the molecules already mentioned, [[enzyme]]s, and [[polysaccharide]]s, such as cellulose and starch. The better understanding  of the basic behavior of polymer molecules has enhanced our knowledge of these biological molecules, and studies of partially charged [[polyelectrolytes]] have led to a deeper insight into their biological function. The investigations of the three-dimensional structure of macromolecules, (their [[configuration]] and [[conformation]]), have led to the identification of specific regions that perform specialized activities. A good example is the catalytic role of particular amino acid residues in polypeptide enzymes and the role of [[functional group]]s such as [[biotin]] or [[riboflavin]] in cellular metabolism. The folding of macromolecules is now a topic of much scientific investigation, since the correct folding of these polymers is a critical factor for normal function. Abnormal folding of particular proteins is the cause of several diseases, including [[Alzheimer disease|Alzheimer's]] and [[Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease]] (CJD) .
where:
 
:<math>C</math> = the specific heat of a gas
:<math>p</math> = refers to constant pressure conditions
:<math>v</math> = refers to constant volume conditions
<BR><BR>

Revision as of 04:31, 3 June 2011

Specific heat ratio of various gases
Gas °C k   Gas °C k
H2 −181 1.597 Dry
Air
20 1.40
−76 1.453 100 1.401
20 1.41 200 1.398
100 1.404 400 1.393
400 1.387 CO2 0 1.310
1000 1.358 20 1.30
2000 1.318 100 1.281
He 20 1.66 400 1.235
N2 −181 1.47 NH3 15 1.310
15 1.404 CO 20 1.40
Cl2 20 1.34 O2 −181 1.45
Ar −180 1.76 −76 1.415
20 1.67 20 1.40
CH4 −115 1.41 100 1.399
−74 1.35 200 1.397
20 1.32 400 1.394

The specific heat ratio of a gas is the ratio of the specific heat at constant pressure, , to the specific heat at constant volume, . It is sometimes referred to as the adiabatic index or the heat capacity ratio or the isentropic expansion factor or the adiabatic exponent or the isentropic exponent.

Either (kappa), (Roman letter k) or (gamma) may be used to denote the specific heat ratio:

where:

= the specific heat of a gas
= refers to constant pressure conditions
= refers to constant volume conditions