BIO 111 Lecture Notes

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by eating food.

Energy

The ability to do work and transfer energy between forms.

Solar Energy

Energy in the form of light from the sun.

Mechanical Energy

Energy associated with the motion and position of an object.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of movement.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Energy conversions are inefficient and some energy is always lost.

Third Law of Thermodynamics

Energy flows from higher ordered forms to lower ordered forms.

Entropy

Disorder or randomness in a system.

Dehydration Synthesis

Joining monomers to form a polymer by removing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

Breaking polymers down into monomers by adding a water molecule.

Carbohydrates

Chains of sugar molecules that provide a quick source of energy.

Lipids

Non-polar molecules used for long-term energy storage.

Proteins

Molecules composed of amino acids that perform a variety of functions in organisms.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules involved in the storage and processing of genetic information.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

Energy currency of the cell used to power cellular processes.

ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)

The molecule that results when ATP loses a phosphate group and releases energy.

Organic Nutrients

Biological macromolecules essential for life, including carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.