Lecture Notes on Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids discussed in the lecture.

Monosaccharides

The basic building blocks (monomers) of carbohydrates.

Polysaccharides

Polymers formed from many monosaccharides; examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction where water is removed to join monomers together.

Glycogen

The storage form of energy in animals, mainly found in liver and muscles.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide found in plant cell walls that humans cannot digest.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharide units; examples include sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

Amphiphilic

A term used to describe molecules that have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, typically referring to lipids.

Saturated Fats

Fats that have no double bonds between carbon atoms; generally solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats that contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms; generally liquid at room temperature.

Triglycerides

A type of fat composed of glycerol and three fatty acids; used by the body for energy storage.

Proteins

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids, essential for many bodily functions.

Primary Structure of Proteins

The specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary Structure of Proteins

The coiling or folding of the polypeptide chain into structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets.

Tertiary Structure of Proteins

The three-dimensional shape of a protein, critical for its function.

Denaturation

The process by which a protein loses its three-dimensional structure due to external stress, such as heat or pH changes.

Nucleic Acids

Biomacromolecules including DNA and RNA, which are composed of nucleotide monomers.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, composed of a nucleotide with three phosphate groups.

Polypeptides

Chains of amino acids that form proteins.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic reactions of those molecules.