Chemical Composition of Organisms and Biological Traits

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the chemical composition of living organisms, including organic molecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, secondary metabolites) and inorganic compounds (water, mineral salts, gases).

Development (Vývoj)

The biological process involving continuous perfecting and adaptation of organisms to their environment.

Phenotypic Traits (Fenotypové znaky)

The external manifestation of an organism's genotype, representing visible traits such as eye color, hair, complexion, and skin pigment.

Organic Substances (Organické látky)

Carbon-based chemical substances characteristic of living nature and living systems.

Proteins (Bílkoviny / Proteiny)

Nitrogenous macromolecular compounds composed of amino acid chains that perform structural, functional, and storage duties in the body.

Structural Proteins (Stavební bílkoviny)

Proteins that provide physical structure and support to tissues, including keratin, myosin, and collagen.

Functional Proteins (Funkční bílkoviny)

Proteins that carry out dynamic physiological roles, such as hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.

Storage Proteins (Zásobní bílkoviny)

Proteins that store essential amino acids and nutrients, such as albumins, glutelins, globulins, and prolamins.

Carbohydrates (Sacharidy)

Polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones that function as a primary energy source (e.g., grape sugar, fructose, glucose, starch) and as structural material (e.g., cellulose, chitin, cutin).

Monosaccharides (Monosacharidy)

The simplest monomeric sugars that cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller units, including fructose, glucose, and galactose.

Oligosaccharides (Oligosacharidy)

Carbohydrates formed by a small chain of monosaccharide units, including maltose ($\text{glucose} + \text{glucose}$), lactose, and sucrose ($\text{glucose} + \text{fructose}$).

Polysaccharides (Polysacharidy)

Complex, non-sweet polymeric carbohydrates joined by glycosidic bonds, such as starch, cellulose, chitin, and glycogen.

Lipids (Lipidy)

Esters of higher fatty acids and alcohol that serve as energy reserves, internal organ protection, cell membrane structures (phospholipids), thermal insulation, and solvents for lipophilic vitamins and pigments.

Nucleic Acids (Nukleové kyseliny)

Macromolecular compounds composed of nucleotide units (making up approximately $1\%$ of the organism), consisting of DNA and RNA; they serve as carriers of genetic information and facilitate protein synthesis.

Alkaloids (Alkaloidy)

Predominantly plant-derived, often toxic metabolites with diverse metabolism that carry out protective functions; examples include cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, solanine (e.g., found in green tomatoes), and morphine.

Glycosides (Glykosidy)

Substances of carbohydrate character that produce biological effects similar to those of alkaloids.

Biological Pigments (Barviva)

Compounds of ecological importance (protective coloration, insect attraction; e.g., melanin, flavones) and physiological/functional importance (e.g., chlorophyll, carotenoids).

Vitamins (Vitaminy)

Essential organic nutrients categorized into hydrophilic (water-soluble, such as vitamins B and C) and lipophilic (fat-soluble) varieties.

Essential Oils and Resins (Silice a pryskyřice)

Plant secondary metabolites characterized as volatile and aromatic substances.

Tannins (Třísloviny / Taniny)

Bitter or astringent compounds with a puckery taste found in plant wood, bark, and fruits.

Steroid Substances (Látky steroidní povahy)

Lipid-derived polycyclic organic compounds that include steroid hormones and cholesterol.

Inorganic Substances (Anorganické látky)

Non-living components in organisms made up primarily of inorganic compounds, mineral elements, and simple carbon compounds.

Water (Voda v organismu)

An inorganic solvent constituting approximately $40\%$ to $70\%$ of an organism; it functions in hydration, temperature regulation, metabolic reactions, and forms metabolic fluids such as tears, saliva, sweat, and urine.

Salts (Soli)

Inorganic and organic ionic compounds dissociated into ions or bound in complex structures; they support body systems, maintain dehydration balance, stabilize pH, and govern osmotic pressure.

Biological Gases (Plyny)

Inorganic gaseous compounds present in living organisms, specifically nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).