Organic Molecules

Organic molecules are the building blocks of life, consisting primarily of carbon atoms in chains or rings with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates with the general formula of C6H12O6. They include glucose, fructose, and galctose

Disaccharides

Formed by the combination of 2 monosaccharides through dehydration synthesis, resulting in a glycosidic bond (eg, sucrose, lactose)

Polysaccharide

Long chains of monosaccharides, such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose. These ar storage of structural carbohydrates.

Amino acids

Has a central carbon bonded to an -NH2, -COOH, hydrogen and an R group

Primary structure

Sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary chain

Folding or coiling of the polypeptide chain into alpha-helices and beta-sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary structure

3d Shape of a polypeptide chain stabilized by interactions between R groups

Quaternary structure

Assembly of multiple polypeptide subunits into a functional protein.

Dehydration synthesis

Joins joins amino acids by forming peptide bonds. Removes water in order to bond monomers together into polymers. Essential for building biological macromolecules (eg. protein synthesis)

Hydrolysis

Breaks peptide bonds, separating amino acids. Addition of water in order to break down polymers into monomers. Essential or breaking down biological macromolecules (eg. digestion)

Nucleotides

Consists of a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base

Nucleosides

Nucleotides without the phosphate group

Fatty acids

Long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group at the end

Saturated fats

No double bonds between carbon atoms, solid at room temperature

Unsaturated fats

One or more double bonds between carbon atoms, liquid at room temperature

Triglycerides

Glycerol molecule linked to three fatty acids, and a phosphate group. They are the main form of stored energy in animals.

Phospholipids

Glycerol, 2 fatty acids, and a phosphate group. They form the bilayer of cell membranes.

Steroids

Four-ring structure with various functional groups attached (eg. cholesterol)