Biochem 2: Organic Molecules / Carbon Compounds

organic molecules

carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids; all living things are made of these. They all contain carbon, which is the most important element for life.

carbohydrates

- made of sugars (such as glucose) - provide energy. An -ose ending on a word usually means it is a carbohydrate.

Proteins

-made of amino acids - provide structure and make up body parts, different proteins have different jobs

enzyme

A type of protein that speeds up a chemical reaction. Usually ends in -ase. Each type of enzyme only works in a specific reaction, and works best at a specific temperature and pH.

Lipids

FAT - made of glycerin and fatty acids - store energy long term, make cell membranes, makes things waterproof

Nucleic acids

- made of nucleotides - include DNA and RNA - store and transmit hereditary or genetic infromation

C6H12O6

glucose sugar, a monosaccharide carbohydrate

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrate; single sugar molecules, such as glucose. Monosaccharides form ring-shaped molecules.

monomer

The smaller parts that join together to make organic molecules