TChem_Chapter_13__The_Introduction_to_Life

Primordial Soup Theory

A theory suggesting that life on Earth began in a warm pond or ocean under reducing atmosphere where organic compounds formed.

Macromolecules of Life

Large complex molecules essential for life, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be synthesized by the body and do not need to come from the diet.

Nucleobases

Building blocks of nucleic acids, classified into purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine).

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates composed of more than ten sugar units, serving as storage forms of energy (like glycogen) and providing structural components.

Hydrophobic

Describes substances that do not interact well with water, often found in lipids.

Anabolic Reactions

Biochemical processes that build larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

Catabolic Reactions

Biochemical processes that break down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that encompass both catabolism and anabolism.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

Electrolyte

Minerals in the body that have an electric charge and are essential for various bodily functions.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells, fueling various cellular processes.

Hydrophilic

Describes substances that readily interact with water, often found in amino acids and carbohydrates.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions in the body.

Glycerol

A simple polyol compound that forms the backbone of triglycerides (fats) and phospholipids.