Biodiversity and Life II - Textbook Notes

Carbohydrates

Type of molecule that can be small and singular or much larger, existing in forms such as sugars and complex starches.

Monosaccharide

Monomer of carbohydrates, a single unit of sugar (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).

Polysaccharide

Macromolecule consisting of hundreds to thousands of monosaccharides bonded together.

Disaccharide

Two bonded monosaccharides formed through dehydration synthesis.

Glycogen

Polysaccharide that stores glucose and can be easily broken down for energy.

Cellulose

Polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of plant cells, formed through chains of glucose.

Chitin

Polysaccharide involved in the structure of exoskeletons in insects and crustaceans.

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing; describes molecules that do not mix with water.

Triglyceride

Lipid composed of one glycerol and three fatty acid molecules; synonymous with fat.

Unsaturated fatty acid

Fatty acid with one or more double bonds between carbons, resulting in fewer hydrogens.

Saturated fatty acid

Fatty acid with no double bonds, containing the maximum number of hydrogens.

Trans fat

Type of fat associated with health risks, formed by partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fat.

Adipose cell

Type of cell that stores fat, contributing to long-term energy storage in animals.

Dehydration synthesis

Process by which two molecules bond together, resulting in the loss of water.

Hydrolysis

Chemical process that breaks down compounds by the addition of water.

Pentoses

Five-carbon sugars; a subtype of monosaccharides.

Hexoses

Six-carbon sugars; a subtype of monosaccharides.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration; responsible for protecting public health by regulating food safety.

Prospective study

Research method that follows participants over time to observe outcomes.

Retrospective study

Research method that looks back at participants' past behaviors to assess outcomes.

Nurses’ Health Study

Major prospective study that revealed dangers of trans fats, conducted on 120,000 female nurses.