ch. 2 Biological Macromolecules and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to biological macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, their structures, functions, and importance in biological systems.

Lactate

A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, used in energy production.

Polysaccharides

Large carbohydrates consisting of sugar molecules bonded together, serving as storage or structural components.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose found in animals, particularly in the liver and muscle cells.

Starch

An energy storage polysaccharide found in plants.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide that makes up cell walls, indigestible for humans and contributes to dietary fiber.

Hydrogenation

The process of adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats to convert them into saturated fats.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid made up of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule, serving primarily as energy storage.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat with no double bonds between carbon atoms, saturated with hydrogen, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

A type of fat with one or more double bonds in the fatty acid chains, typically liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids

Molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails that form the structural foundation of cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by a structure of four hydrocarbon rings, serving various functions in cell signaling and structure.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, there are 20 different amino acids that combine in various sequences to form proteins.

Peptide Bond

The covalent bond that links amino acids together in a protein.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as biological catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions.

Denaturation

The process by which a protein loses its three-dimensional structure and function due to factors like heat or pH changes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and exists in various forms such as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.

Nucleotide

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

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The high-energy molecule used as energy currency in cellular processes.