Biologically Important Molecules

protein

biological macromolecule made of amino acids; essential for cellular function

nucleic acid

biological macromolecule that functions in information storage and transfer; DNA or RNA

carbohydrate

biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; serve as energy sources and structural support molecules

lipid

macromolecule that is nonpolar and hydrophobic

hydrocarbon

an organic molecule consisting of carbon and hydrogen

monomer

a subunit that can be bound to other monomers to make a polymer

polymer

a large molecule made up of many monomers

nucleotide

the monomer of nucleic acids

amino acid

the monomer of proteins

monosaccharide

single sugar subunit; the monomer of polysaccharides

metabolism

all of the chemical reactions that take place in the cell

protein

biological macromolecule made of amino acids; essential for cellular function

R-group of amino acid

a specific group of atoms attached to the alpha carbon of an amino acid molecule

peptide bond

lipid

macromolecule that is nonpolar and hydrophobic

nucleic acid

biological macromolecule that functions in information storage and transfer; DNA or RNA

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

RNA

ribonucleic acid