Biology vocab terms

Atom

the basic unit of matter

Element

substance with one type of atom

Isotope

atoms of the same elements with different # of neutrons

Proton

positive particle found in the nucleus

Neutron

neutral particle found in the nucleus

Electron

negative particle found outside the nucleus

Compound

2 or more elements joined together

Ionic bond

e- moved from one atom to another

Covalent bond

e- shared between atoms

Hydrogen bond

weak attraction between molecules

Polar molecule

has an unequal distribution of charge

Cohesion

water molecules attracted to themselves

Adhesion

water molecules attracted to other polar substances

Transpiration

water released from plant leaves

Solution

one substance dissolved in another

Solute

substance being dissolved

Solvent

substance doing the dissolving

Acid

forms more H+ ions than water

Base

forms more OH- ions than water

Polymer

large molecules made of monomers

Monomer

small unit that makes up a polymer

Carbohydrate

macromolecule known as sugar

Lipid

macromolecule know as fat

Nucleic acid

macromolecule that stores genetic information

Protein

macromolecule made of amino acids

Enzyme

protein that catalyzes reaction

Indicator

a chemical that changes color if a certain macromolecule is present

Bednedict’s solution

an indicator used to detect monosaccharides

Lugol’s iodine

an indicator that turns dark when starch is present

Biuret’s reagent

an indicator that turns purple when proteins are present

Sudan III

an indicator used to detect lipids

Diphenylamine

an indicator used to detect nucleic acids