Chemistry
The study of the properties of matter and how matter changes
Anabolism
Metabolic pathways that construct molecules, requiring energy.
Catabolism
Metabolic pathways that break down molecules, releasing energy.
Organic compounds
Compounds that contain carbon bound to hydrogen
inorganic compounds
A compound that does not contain the element carbon or contains carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen.
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.
Monosaccharides
Single sugar molecules
Disaccharide
A double sugar, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis.
Polysaccharides
Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides
Glucose
the form of sugar that circulates in the blood and provides the major source of energy for body tissues. When its level is low, we feel hunger.
Sucrose
glucose + fructose; table sugar
Lactose
glucose + galactose; milk sugar
Maltose
glucose + glucose
Cellulose
A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many organisms
Chitin
A structural polysaccharide, consisting of amino sugar monomers, found in many fungal cell walls and in the exoskeletons of all arthropods.
Lipids
Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Fats/oils
store energy
Waxes
A type of lipid molecule consisting of one fatty acid linked to an alcohol; functions as a waterproof coating on many biological surfaces such as apples and other fruits.
Phospholipids
A molecule that is a constituent of the inner bilayer of biological membranes, having a polar, hydrophilic head and a nonpolar, hydrophobic tail.
Steroids
A type of lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four rings with various functional groups attached.
Saturated fats
fats that are solid at room temperature
Unsaturated fats
A fat that is liquid at room temperature and found in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
Protein
A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of amino acids.
Amino Acid
monomer of protein
Peptide bond
The chemical bond that forms between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another amino acid
Polypeptide
A polymer (chain) of many amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
Nucleopeptide
...
Purine
Adenine and Guanine
Pyrimidines
Cytosine and Thymine
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
RNA
ribonucleic acid, A single-stranded nucleic acid that passes along genetic messages
ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work