biological molecules

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, functioning as energy sources and structural components.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides linked together, examples include sucrose and lactose.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides, examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Proteins

Biological molecules made up of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, serving various roles in the body.

Primary structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary structure

Local folding of a polypeptide chain into alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets due to hydrogen bonding.

Tertiary structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein formed by the folding of its secondary structure.

Quaternary structure

The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains into a single functional protein.

Lipids

Hydrophobic biological molecules made primarily of carbon and hydrogen that function in energy storage and cell membrane structure.

Fatty acids

Lipids that can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

Triglycerides

Lipids formed by linking three fatty acids to glycerol.

Phospholipids

Molecules composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, crucial for forming cell membranes.

Nucleic acids

Biological macromolecules made of nucleotides, involved in storing and transmitting genetic information.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

A double-stranded nucleic acid that stores genetic information.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis, with types including mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.