Macromolecules

Lipids

A category of macromolecules that are generally non-polar and include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Triglycerides

Lipids commonly referred to as fat, used to store energy and insulate the body.

Phospholipids

Lipids that make up cell membranes, characterized by having both polar and non-polar regions (amphipathic).

Steroids

A category of lipids that act as signaling molecules, produced from cholesterol.

Monosaccharide

The monomer of carbohydrates, simple sugars like glucose and fructose.

Polysaccharide

The polymer of carbohydrates, larger molecules like starch and glycogen used for energy storage.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules formed from nucleotides, including DNA and RNA, which are involved in genetic information and protein synthesis.

Amino Acid

The monomer of proteins, of which 20 have been identified, that combine in specific sequences to form proteins.

Denaturation

A process that alters a protein's structure due to high temperatures or extreme pH, affecting its function.

Quaternary Level of Structure

The highest level of protein structure formed when multiple polypeptide chains combine to function.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to accelerate a biochemical reaction.

Substrate

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Active Site

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

pH

A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, providing energy for cellular processes.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.

Cell Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of the cell from the external environment.

Ribosome

A molecular machine that synthesizes proteins by translating messenger RNA.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure made of DNA and protein that carries genetic information.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits or diseases.

Osmosis

The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher concentration.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Homeostasis

The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.