Biological Compounds Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards about biological compounds from lecture notes.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with an uneven distribution of charge, like water, allowing hydrogen bonds between molecules.

Monosaccharide

A single sugar molecule; the building block of carbohydrates.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction in which water is used to break down a compound.

Condensation Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, with the loss of water.

Isomers

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

Dipeptide

A molecule consisting of two amino acids linked by a peptide bond.

Polypeptide

A polymer consisting of many amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Primary Structure

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, determined by DNA.

Secondary Structure

The local folding patterns of a polypeptide chain, such as alpha helix or beta pleated sheet, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional structure of a polypeptide, resulting from interactions between variable groups.

Quaternary Structure

The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains in a protein complex.

Disaccharide

A sugar molecule composed of two monosaccharides linked by a glycosidic bond.

Polysaccharide

A polymer consisting of many monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds.

Glycosidic Bond

A covalent bond that joins a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group, which may or may not be another carbohydrate.

Microfibrils

A very fine fibril or fiber found in plant cell walls, composed of cellulose.

Inorganic Ion

An ion that contains no more than one carbon atom.

Triglyceride

A lipid molecule composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.

Phospholipid

A lipid molecule composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group; a major component of cell membranes.

Hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water; water-loving.

Hydrophobic

Lacking affinity for water; water-fearing.

Ester Bond

The bond formed between a glycerol and a fatty acid in lipids.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid containing only single carbon-to-carbon bonds.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid containing one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds.

Benedict’s Reagent

A chemical solution used to detect the presence of reducing sugars.