Biology Unit 1 – Monomers and Polymers of Biology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Unit 1: monomers, polymers, macromolecules, enzymes, metabolism, and basic experimental science concepts.

Carbohydrate

A macromolecule made of sugar monomers; provides energy and is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join with others to form polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule formed by linking many monomer units.

Macromolecule

A very large organic molecule built from smaller subunits (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins).

Organic

Carbon-containing compounds, typically associated with living organisms.

Protein

A macromolecule made of amino acids; functions include enzymes, structure, transport, and signaling.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions.

Active Site

The region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Substrate

The molecule that binds to the enzyme's active site.

Reactant

The starting substance in a chemical reaction.

Product

The substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Synthesis

A chemical reaction that builds larger molecules from smaller ones (anabolic process).

Decomposition

A chemical reaction where a molecule is broken down into simpler substances.

Saccharide

A sugar unit; the term used to indicate sugar in carbohydrate terminology.

Metabolism

The chemical reactions within a living organism that provide energy and build/break down molecules.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Cell

The basic unit of life; all living things are composed of cells; cells arise from other cells.

Cellular organization

The arrangement of life’s levels from cells to tissues, organs, and organisms.

Heredity

The passing of genetic information from parents to offspring through genes.

Evolution

Change in heritable traits over generations.

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess or educated prediction guiding experiments.

Control

The standard condition in an experiment used for comparison.

Independent Variable

The variable deliberately changed by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

The variable measured or observed in an experiment.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena that has been repeatedly tested.

Variable

A factor that can change or be changed in an experiment.

Responding variable

Another term for the dependent variable; the variable that responds to the manipulated variable.

Response to stimuli

The reaction of an organism to changes in its environment.