Introduction to Biomolecules and Chemical Reactions

Vocabulary flashcards defining functional groups, isomers, biomolecule monomers, and chemical reactions from Chapters 1 through 5.

Functional group

A component of a molecule that determines its chemical reactivity and polarity.

Polarity

A molecular property where one side of a molecule is more positive and the other side is more negative.

Iso-

A prefix that means same.

Isomer

Organic molecules that have identical molecular formulas but a different arrangement of atoms.

Molecular formula

A chemical expression counting the atoms in a molecule, such as $C_3H_6O_3$.

Monomer

Each repeating unit or subunit that makes up a polymer.

Mono-

A prefix that means one.

Di-

A prefix that means two.

Poly-

A prefix that means three or more.

Saccharide

A word that means sugar.

Monosaccharide

The monomer that makes up carbohydrates.

Glycerol and fatty acids

The two different types of monomers/subunits that make up lipids.

Amino acid

The monomer subunit that makes up proteins.

Nucleotide

The monomer subunit that makes up nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.

Peptide bond

The chemical bond that connects adjacent amino acids when forming a protein.

Polypeptide

A molecule formed by linking three or more amino acids together with peptide bonds.

Synthesis

A word that means to make or build something.

Dehydration reaction synthesis

A chemical reaction in which subunits are joined together to build a polymer by losing a molecule of water ($H_2O$).

Hydro-

A prefix that means water.

-lysis

A root word or suffix that means to break.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction in which a water molecule ($H_2O$) is added to break a covalent bond.