Lipids and Proteins Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the categories, monomers, structures, examples, and functions of lipids and proteins based on lecture notes.

Triglycerides

The term for fats, which are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, specifically 1 glycerol molecule and 3 fatty acid monomers.

Saturated Fats

Fats mostly derived from animal sources that are solid at room temperature, contain single bonds, and have full amounts of hydrogen atoms.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats found in fish and plant oils that are liquid at room temperature and contain double bonds with less than the saturated amount of hydrogen atoms.

Hydrophobic

A property of lipids meaning not $H_2O$ soluble or water-fearing.

Cholesterol

A type of steroid NEVER found in plant products, made by all animals to form cell membranes and synthesize testosterone and estrogen.

Anabolic Steroids

Synthetic, man-made versions of testosterone that can cause long-term liver and heart damage.

Corticosteroids

Steroids that fight inflammation in the body and treat conditions such as asthma, eczema, and arthritis.

Structural Proteins

Proteins that serve structural functions, such as keratin and collagen.

Transport Proteins

Proteins that transport molecules, such as hemoglobin which carries oxygen.

Defensive Proteins

Proteins that protect the body, such as antibodies.

Pigment Proteins

Proteins responsible for coloration, such as chlorophyll for leaf green color and melanin for skin color.

Contractile Proteins

Proteins responsible for movement, such as actin and myosin in contracting muscles.

Storage Proteins

Proteins that store nutrients, with food proteins listed as an example.

Enzymes

Proteins, such as lactase (which breaks down lactose), that speed up chemical reactions in cells.

Amino Acids

The 20 different monomer building blocks that make up proteins.

Peptide Bonds

The specific chemical bonds that join amino acids together to form proteins.