Chemical Reactions and Macromolecules Overview

Dehydration Synthesis

Water is 'removed' (will appear in the products/right side of equation) and 2 (or more) smaller reactants are combined into one larger product.

Hydrolysis

Water is 'added' (reactants/left side of equation) and a large reactant is broken down into 2+ smaller products.

Endergonic Reaction

Energy is 'absorbed' to get from reactants to products.

Exergonic Reaction

Energy is released to break down reactants.

Oxidation

A reactant loses an electron (e-).

Reduction

A reactant gains an electron (e-).

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

The process of converting glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.

Monomer

A single molecule that can join together with other molecules to form a polymer.

Polymer

A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits (monomers).

Carbohydrate

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as a quick source of energy.

Lipid

Fatty acids and glycerol that provide stored energy, insulation, and signaling.

Protein

Polypeptides made of amino acids that perform various functions including enzymes and transport.

Nucleic Acid

Molecules that contain and transmit genetic information, such as DNA and RNA.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat that is solid at room temperature, containing no double bonds between carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Fat

A type of fat that is liquid at room temperature, containing one or more double bonds between carbon atoms.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, which combine to form polypeptides.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

DNA

A double-stranded molecule that contains the genetic blueprint for an organism.

RNA

A single-stranded molecule that plays a role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.