Introduction to Organic Molecules, Enzymes, and Chemical Bonds

Vocabulary flashcards covering organic molecules, macromolecules, enzyme structure and inhibition, energy types, atomic structure, chemical bonds, and the unique properties of water.

Organic molecule

Any molecule that contains the carbon atom C (unrelated to the supermarket term organic).

Monomer

The subunit molecule that links together to form a polymer.

Polymer

A molecule that consists of a chain of monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic polymers (also called polysaturids) made of sugar chains like glucose; used for short term energy storage.

Monosaccharids

Single unit sugars that form carbohydrates.

Lipids

Fats composed of fatty acids and glycerol subunits; used for long term energy storage and insulation in mammals.

Carbohydrate diagram identification

Contains rings and has a CHO ratio of $1:1$, meaning equal amounts of carbon and oxygen.

Lipid diagram identification

Contains very little oxygen and has no rings.

Proteins

Chains of amino acids containing nitrogen (N) atoms with no phosphorus (P) atoms and no rings; used as building material and to control chemical reactions. Also called polypeptides.

Nucleic acids

Chains of nucleotides containing both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) atoms as well as rings; store genetic information (e.g., DNA and RNA).

Enzymes

Special proteins that act as biological catalysts to control chemical reactions.

Catalyst

A substance that helps a chemical reaction happen easily without being changed by the reaction.

Substrate

The specific molecule that an enzyme works on.

Active site

The part of the enzyme that holds the substrate during a chemical reaction.

Energy of activation

The energy cost required to start a chemical reaction, which is lowered by enzymes.

Territory shape

The three-dimensional shape of an enzyme that matches its specific function and active site.

Denatured enzyme

An enzyme that has lost its shape and functionality because its supporting hydrogen bonds were broken by heat, radiation, or chemicals.

Primary structure

The order of amino acids in a protein chain, determined by genes.

Dehydration reaction

A chemical reaction that joins monomers into chains by removing water (acts like a stapler).

Hydrolysis reaction

A chemical reaction that cuts polymers into subunits by splitting and returning water (acts like scissors).

Competitive inhibitor

A molecule that mimics the shape of the substrate and competes for access to the enzyme's active site, slowing the reaction without reacting.

Non-competitive inhibitor

An inhibitor that bonds to a second site (not the active site) on the enzyme and turns it off like a key and lock.

Energy

The ability to do work; it cannot be created, only stored or released.

Kinetic energy

Energy that is currently at work.

Potential energy

Energy that is stored and not currently working.

Atom

The fundamental unit of matter, composed of a nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.

Atomic number

The total number of protons in an atom.

Atomic mass

The combined total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Covalent bonds

Bonds created when two atoms equally share electrons.

Ionic bonds

Bonds formed when atoms gain or lose an electron, resulting in unbalanced charges that attract the atoms together.

Hydrogen bonds

Bonds formed between polar molecules due to opposing charges from unequal electron sharing.

Polarity

A state where one area of a molecule has a positive charge and another area has a negative charge, causing molecules to attract like magnets.

Adhesion

The property of water sticking to other polar surfaces like tape.

Capillary action

The movement of water climbing up small tubes by adhering to the sides.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to themselves.

Surface tension

The phenomenon where molecules at the top layer of water stick tightly together.

Heat capacity

The ability of water to store a large amount of energy before changing temperature.