Bio Enzymes

Carbohydrate

Organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Lipid

A group of organic compounds that are hydrophobic or amphipathic, primarily fats and oils.

Protein

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids, responsible for catalyzing reactions, structural support, and more.

Nucleic Acid

Polymers made up of nucleotide monomers, including DNA and RNA.

Carbohydrate monomer

Monosaccharide, the simplest form of carbohydrate (e.g., glucose).

Carbohydrate polymer

Polysaccharide, formed by the linkage of multiple monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen).

Lipid monomer

Fatty acids and glycerol, which combine to form larger lipid molecules.

Lipid polymer

Triglycerides, which consist of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol.

Amino Acid

The building block of proteins, with a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable R group.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; it is a polymer of amino acids.

Peptide bond

The bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another.

Dehydration

A chemical process that involves the removal of water to form a larger molecule.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that involves the addition of water to break down a larger molecule into smaller units.

Protein Function

The specific role of a protein, determined by its unique shape and chemical properties.

Unique Protein Shape

Determined by the sequence and chemical properties of the amino acids that compose the protein.

Hydrophobic Amino Acids

Typically found in the interior of proteins in aqueous environments, away from water.

Hydrophilic Amino Acids

Located on the surface of proteins, interacting with the aqueous environment.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Active Site

The region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Substrate

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Product

The final product(s) of the reaction catalyzed by an enzyme.

Transition State

The temporary state during a chemical reaction when old bonds are breaking and new bonds forming.

Activation Energy

The minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Denaturing

The process by which a protein loses its shape and function due to environmental changes.

Optimal Temperature, pH, and Salt Concentration

The specific conditions under which an enzyme exhibits its greatest activity.

Protein Monomer

Protein Polymer

Carb Monomer

Carb Polymer