B1.1 Carbohydrates and Lipid

Covalent Bond

A bond formed between two atoms that share a pair of electrons.

Macromolecules

Large molecules, such as polysaccharides, polypeptides, and nucleic acids, produced by condensation reactions that link monomers into polymers.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that digests polymers into monomers by splitting water molecules to provide -H and -OH groups for specific bonds.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars like pentoses (e.g., ribose) and hexoses (e.g., glucose) recognized by the number of carbon atoms and ring structure.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates are energy storage compounds like starch and glycogen, characterized by their compact nature and insolubility.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide in plants made of beta-glucose monomers, forming straight chains that contribute to cell wall structure.

Glycoproteins

Molecules that consist of carbohydrates and proteins, important for cell-to-cell recognition, such as ABO antigens in blood groups.

Lipids

Substances that dissolve in non-polar solvents but are only slightly soluble in water, including fats, oils, and steroids.

Triglycerides

Lipids formed from glycerol and fatty acids, utilized for energy storage and thermal insulation in organisms.

Phospholipids

Lipids that form bilayers in cell membranes, consisting of glycerol linked to two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with no double C=C bonds, influencing physical properties like melting point.

Denaturation

The process by which the 3D shape of proteins is altered, affecting protein function due to extremes in pH or temperature.

Primary Structure of Proteins

The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein, determining its final shape and function.

Quaternary Structure

The arrangement of multiple polypeptides or protein subunits in a larger protein complex.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Codominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are expressed, seen in ABO blood types.

Phenotype

The observable traits of an organism, influenced by genotype and environmental factors.

Hydrophobic Properties

Characteristics of molecules, such as lipids, that repel water; important for membrane formation.