AKS 1 Biochemistry, Cell Structure and Function

Macromolecules

A very large organic molecule composed of many smaller molecules

Monomer

A simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers

Polymer

A long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together.

Carbohydrates

Broken down to glucose to provide energy; quick energy, main source of energy

Proteins

Nutrients the body uses to build and maintain its cells and tissues; chains of amino acids

Lipids

Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; long term energy storage.

Nucleic acids

polymers of nucleotides (DNA and RNA)

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions; catalysts

Substrate

The reactant on which an enzyme works.

Catalyst

substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

Activation Energy

Energy needed to get a reaction started

Products

The elements or compounds produced by a chemical reaction.

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

Organelles are

compartments within cells

Nucleus

Control center of the cell

Cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell.

cell wall

A rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and some other organisms.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

Lysosomes

Uses chemicals to break down food and worn out cell parts

Golgi apparatus

stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A cell structure that forms a maze of passageways in which proteins and other materials are carried from one part of the cell to another.

Vacuole

Cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

Ribosomes

Makes proteins

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

Vesicle

Small membrane-bound sac that functions in moving products into, out of, and within a cell.