Biological Macromolecules: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary flashcards covering monosaccharides, lipid types, protein structures, and nucleotide components from the lecture transcript.

Monosaccharide

A single sugar unit; key examples include glucose, galactose, and fructose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed by two sugar units; key examples include sucrose and lactose.

Glycogen

The only polysaccharide synthesized and stored in animal cells (the human body) for short-term energy.

Saturated fatty acid

A fatty acid chain containing only single bonds between carbon atoms, such as butter.

Unsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid chain that contains at least one double bond between carbon atoms, such as oil.

Triglyceride

A lipid composed of three fatty acid chains stored in adipose tissue to provide energy storage, thermal insulation, and shock absorption.

Eicosanoids

Local hormone-like chemical signals between cells that serve as an initial response during inflammation, blood clotting, labor contractions, and changes in blood vessel diameter.

Steroids

Lipids composed of $17$ carbon atoms (including cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) that aid in nervous system function and maintaining cell membrane integrity.

Cholesterol

A type of steroid lipid obtained 15\text{\textpercent} from diet and synthesized 85\text{\textpercent} by the liver that maintains cell membrane integrity.

Phospholipid

A lipid containing a phosphate group, a hydrophilic head, and hydrophobic tails that form the cell membrane bilayer.

Amphipathic

Having both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) regions within the same lipid molecule.

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

The fluid located outside of a cell.

Protein

The largest and most versatile macromolecule in the human body, composed of one or more long polypeptide chains.

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing red protein pigment in human blood that functions in oxygen transport.

Hemocyanin

A copper-containing pigment found in arachnids (such as spiders) that gives their blood a blue-green color.

Confirmation

The proper, functional three-dimensional shape of a protein molecule.

Denaturation

The process where a protein loses its functional shape and biological activity.

Primary protein structure

A linear sequence of amino acids held together by peptide bonds.

Secondary protein structure

A protein structure formed by localized folding due to hydrogen bonding, such as an alpha helix.

Tertiary protein structure

A protein structure characterized by precise folding and bending, forming shapes like globular proteins.

Quaternary protein structure

A complex protein structure composed of multiple folded polypeptide chains, such as hemoglobin or collagen.

Nucleic acid

A biomolecule made of nucleotide building blocks that stores, transmits, and expresses genetic information.

Nucleotide

The organic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

A double-helical nucleic acid containing deoxyribose sugar and thymine that stores genetic information.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid containing ribose sugar and uracil.

Pentose sugar

A $5$-carbon monosaccharide sugar found in nucleotides, taking the form of ribose or deoxyribose.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed by the reaction itself.