Chapter_3

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen and are mainly abundant in living organisms.

Macromolecules

Large, complex organic molecules categorized into carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules that serve as immediate energy sources in living organisms, composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Lipids

Organic molecules primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms, characterized by their nonpolar nature.

Proteins

Molecules composed of amino acids that perform a wide range of functions in biological systems.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules such as DNA and RNA that are responsible for the storage and transmission of genetic information.

Polymers

Large molecules made up of many repeating subunits known as monomers.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical process where two molecules are bonded together with the removal of water.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down a compound by adding water.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides joined by a dehydration reaction.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by long chains of monosaccharides linked together.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have no double bonds between carbon atoms and tend to be solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds in their carbon chain and tend to be liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids

A type of lipid that consists of a phosphate group and two fatty acids, important for cell membranes.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, with a common structure consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side chain.

Peptide Bond

The covalent bond formed between two amino acids during a condensation reaction.

Secondary Structure of Proteins

A level of protein structure where polypeptides coil or fold due to hydrogen bonding.

Tertiary Structure of Proteins

The three-dimensional structure of a protein formed by the folding and twisting of a polypeptide.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that stores genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule involved in decoding genetic information and synthesizing proteins.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the coding for a specific protein.

Nucleotide

The monomer unit of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Hydrophilic

Molecules or parts of molecules that are attracted to water.

Hydrophobic

Molecules or parts of molecules that repel water.