Carbon

carbon atom

the backbone of all organic compounds; can readily form four covalent bonds with other atoms w/ 6 electrons

complex organic molecules

proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, hormones, sugars, vitamins

functional group

the part of the organic molecule responsible for its chemical reactions w/ 2 or more atoms

macromolecules

large polymers

polymer

molecules composed of many monomers; makes up macromolecules

dehydration synthesis

removal of water when forming a polymer

hydrolysis

adding of water when disassembling a polymer

carbohydrates

sugars and polymers of sugars

monosaccharides

a single sugar molecule such as glucose, galactose, fructose, the simplest type of sugar.

dissacharides

a sugar containing two monosaccharides such as maltose, sucrose, and lactose

maltose

glucose and glucose

sucrose

glucose and fructose

lactose

glucose and galactose

polysaccharides

storage: starch, glycogen structural: cellulose, chitin

lipids

energy-rich molecules, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made mostly of hydrocarbons, polymers

saturated fats

fatty acid chains lack double bonds; solid at room temp and bad fats, major source is animals

unsaturated fats

1 or more double bonds; liquid at room temp, major source in fish and plants

phosolipids

make up cell membrane w/ hydrophobic tails

steroid/hormones

lipid molecule with four fused carbon rings w/ different F.G.

cholesterol

steroid common in cell membranes

waxes

waterproof coating on many biological surfaces such as apples and other fruits.

proteins

Chains of amino acids

uses of proteins

cell structure, enzymes, antibodies, transport, movement, receptors, hormones

amino acids

monomer of a polypeptide

polypeptides

long chain of amino acids that makes proteins w/ order determined by RNA

structural levels

linear sequence of amino acids (order determines protein)

denaturation

unraveling of a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals

nucleic acids

polymers of nucleotides

nucleotides

composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and one of 4 DNA bases

gene

specific sequence of a's, t's, g's, and c's