Chapter 3 Biology Vocab Terms

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls, providing rigidity and strength.

Chitin

A polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi, offering structural support.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction where water is removed to join two molecules, forming a larger molecule.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, often used as fuels.

Hydrolysis

A reaction involving the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join with others to form a polymer.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Organic Compounds

Molecules containing carbon, typically found in living organisms.

Phospholipid

A lipid containing a phosphate group, crucial for forming cell membranes.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of repeating monomer units.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate polymer made of many monosaccharides linked together.

Primary Structure

The sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Protein

A macromolecule made of amino acids, essential for various biological functions.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat with no double bonds in its fatty acid chains, typically solid at room temperature.

Secondary Structure

The local folding of a protein's polypeptide chain into structures like alpha-helices and beta-sheets.

Steroid

A type of lipid with a four-ring structure, involved in hormone production.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein.

Unsaturated Fat

A fat with one or more double bonds in its fatty acid chains, usually liquid at room temperature.