Biochemistry

Organic Compounds

Compounds that occur naturally in living things and contain carbon.

Monomers

Single organic molecules that can link together to form larger macromolecules.

Polymers

Macromolecules formed from many monomers linked together.

Isomer

A compound with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms.

Inorganic Compounds

Compounds that are not organic and generally do not contain carbon.

Universal Solvent

A property of water that allows it to dissolve many substances.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, functioning in energy storage and structural components.

Monosaccharides

The simplest sugars that serve as monomers for larger carbohydrates.

Lipids

Organic compounds primarily used for long-term energy storage that do not dissolve readily in water.

Saturated Fats

Fats that are solid at room temperature and contain no carbon-carbon double bonds.

Unsaturated Fats

Fats that are liquid at room temperature and contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Trans Fats

Unsaturated fats that have been hydrogenated, which can be carcinogenic.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid that strengthens cell membranes but can lead to health issues if in excess.

Nucleic Acids

Long molecules composed of nucleotides, responsible for information storage (DNA) and protein construction (RNA).

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.

Proteins

Compounds made of amino acids that serve as control and structural elements in living systems.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, specific to one type of substrate.

Active Site

The region on an enzyme where the substrate fits and undergoes a reaction.

Denaturation

The process by which enzymes lose their functional shape due to unfavorable conditions, such as pH or temperature.