Introduction to the Molecules of Life

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the molecules of life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, as well as key processes and structures involved in their formation and function.

Carbohydrates

Biological molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, major source of energy and structural components.

Lipids

Fats that are insoluble in water, composed of glycerol and fatty acids.

Proteins

Large, complex molecules made up of amino acids, crucial for structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.

Nucleic acids

Biological macromolecules, including DNA and RNA, essential for storage and transmission of genetic information.

Oligosaccharides

Carbohydrates consisting of 2 to 20 monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by long chains of monosaccharides.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Ionic bond

A chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Hydrogen bond

Weak bonds that occur when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is also attracted to another electronegative atom.

Monomer

A single molecular unit that can join together to form a polymer.

Polymerization

The process by which monomers join together to form a polymer.

Amino acids

Organic molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

Denaturation

The process in which proteins lose their native shape and biological activity due to external stress or conditions.

Primary structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary structure

Local folding of the polypeptide chain into helices or sheets stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary structure

The three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide, stabilized by interactions among R groups.

Quaternary structure

The structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains aggregate into one functional protein.

Phospholipid

A type of lipid molecule that is a major component of cell membranes, composed of two fatty acids, glycerol, and a phosphate group.

Triglycerides

Lipids made up of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule, important for energy storage.