Chapter 3 The Molecules of Life

Lactose Intolerant

A condition where individuals cannot digest milk-based foods due to a lack of the enzyme lactase.

Lactase

An enzyme required to digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

Organic Compounds

Carbon-based molecules essential for life.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen.

Isomers

Compounds with the same formula but different structural arrangements.

Functional Groups

Clusters of atoms within a molecule that have distinct chemical properties.

Macromolecules

Large biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Polymers

Large molecules made of many identical or similar smaller units called monomers.

Monomers

Small building blocks that link together to form polymers.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds and are usually liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipids

Lipids that make up cell membranes with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Proteins

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids that perform a wide range of functions in the body.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins with a central carbon, an amino group, and a carboxyl group.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules, DNA and RNA, that carry genetic information.

Peptide Bonds

Covalent bonds that link amino acids together to form proteins.

Denaturation

The process where proteins lose their structure and function due to factors like heat or pH changes.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction that involves the loss of water to form bonds.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that involves the addition of water to break down polymers.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as a primary energy source.

Monosaccharides

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

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates consisting of long chains of monosaccharide units.

Glycogen

A storage form of glucose in animals, primarily found in the liver and muscles.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate that forms the structural component of plant cell walls.

Lipids

A diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, including fats, oils, and steroids.

Triglycerides

The main form of stored fat in the body, consisting of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule.

Steroids

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

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, speeding up the process.