Flashcards on the Chemical Level of Organisation II

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the chemical level of organization in anatomy and physiology.

Carbohydrate

Molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units like glucose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharide units, joined by dehydration synthesis.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate that consists of multiple monosaccharide units linked together.

Hydrocarbon Chains

Long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are typically nonpolar and hydrophobic.

Lipid

A group of organic compounds that are hydrophobic and include fats, oils, and phospholipids.

Protein

Macromolecules made up of amino acids, serving various functions, including structural, regulatory, and enzymatic roles.

Amino Acid

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Peptide Bond

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

Hydrophilic

Having a tendency to mix with, dissolve in, or be wetted by water.

Hydrophobic

Repelling water; non-polar molecules that do not interact well with water.

Nucleotide

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

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that carries genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; involved in protein synthesis and transmission of genetic information.

Triglyceride

A type of lipid made up of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone.

Phospholipid

A lipid molecule with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails, forming cellular membranes.

Steroid

A class of lipids characterized by a structure of four fused carbon rings.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide that serves as a form of energy storage in animals.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls.

Condensation Reaction

A chemical reaction where two molecules combine with the loss of water.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds by the addition of water.