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