Organic Compounds and Basic Chemistry Review

Flashcards covering basic chemistry concepts, organic compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), their simplest forms, functions in the body, and relevant examples from the lecture.

Synthesis

To build complex molecules, often by taking water away (dehydration).

Hydrolysis

To break things apart by adding water ('hydro' means water, 'lys' means to split).

Organic Compounds

Anything that contains carbon.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds built up via dehydration synthesis and broken apart via hydrolysis; provide the body with energy.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, also known as simple sugars, which can be absorbed directly into the blood (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose, deoxyribose).

Glucose

The most powerful and main example of a monosaccharide, providing energy to the body.

Disaccharides

More complex carbohydrates formed by two simple sugars (e.g., sucrose, maltose, lactose).

Polysaccharides

The most complex carbohydrates, serving as storage vessels or structural components (e.g., glycogen in muscles/liver, starch from plants).

Glycogen

A polysaccharide stored in muscles and the liver, used as a glucose reserve.

Starch

A polysaccharide found in plant-based products, which breaks down into sugar and provides energy.

Lipids

Organic compounds including triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and eicosanoids; provide energy, insulation, and protection.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid that provides energy, insulation, and protection. Their simplest form is glycerol and three fatty acid chains.

Saturated Fats

A type of triglyceride that is solid at room temperature and is considered more dangerous due to straight fatty acid chains (e.g., fat in meat, hard butters).

Unsaturated Fats

A type of triglyceride that is liquid at room temperature and is generally healthier due to kinked fatty acid chains (e.g., Smart Balance, oils).

Chylomicron

A helper transport protein that carries digested lipids in the blood.

Phospholipids

Specialized lipids important for maintaining the boundaries of a cell membrane.

Steroids

Lipids that maintain stability in the cell wall and are found at the base of hormones (e.g., testosterone, estrogen, cortisone).

Eicosanoids

Local types of lipid-based hormones that cause local reactions such as pain and swelling (e.g., prostaglandins), often blocked by NSAIDs.

Proteins

Organic compounds with diverse functions; their shape determines function. Simplest form is amino acids.

Amino Acids

The simplest form of a protein, resulting from digestion in the stomach.

Collagen

A type of fibrous protein that provides mechanical strength to tissues like bones, ligaments, and tendons.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts (proteins) that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy; most end in '-ase' (e.g., lactase, lipase).

Hemoglobin

A globular transport protein found on red blood cells that holds oxygen and carbon dioxide, and acts as a buffer.

Actin and Myosin

Contractile proteins responsible for muscle movement by cross-bridging to shorten and lengthen muscle fibers.

Antibodies

Y-shaped defense proteins that circulate in the blood, identifying and neutralizing foreign invaders or marking them for destruction by white blood cells, providing immunity.

Fibrous Proteins

Structural proteins that are mechanically strong, providing strength, stretch, or protection (e.g., keratin, collagen, elastin).

Globular Proteins

Functional proteins that are more complex and vital, serving as antibodies, hormones, enzymes, or molecular chaperones.

Denature

A change of shape in a protein (irreversible) caused by extreme acidity or high temperature, which impairs its function.

Nucleic Acids

Organic compounds crucial for genetic information, made of nitrogenous bases, a sugar, and a phosphate group (e.g., DNA, RNA).

Nitrogenous Bases

The simplest form of nucleic acids, consisting of adenine, thymine (uracil in RNA), cytosine, and guanine.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid that provides genetic information and instructions on what to build in the body. Its bases are A, T, C, G.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid (with uracil replacing thymine) that carries out the instructions provided by DNA.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The body's main energy currency, made by cells with oxygen, and needed for mechanical work, cellular work, and transport.