Unit 7: Biomolecules & Enzymes

macromolecule

any molecule that is produced by a living organism; examples are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids

elements of life

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur

monomer

small units (building blocks) of a bigger molecule

polymer

large molecule formed from combinations of many monomers

dehydration synthesis

a chemical reaction that removes water from two small molecules to build a larger molecule

hydrolysis

a chemical reaction that breaks molecules apart by adding a water molecule

carbohydrate

utilized as a primary energy source for living things

monosaccharide

single sugar molecule; monomer of a carbohydrate

polysaccharide

polymer of a carbohydrate

starch

plant glucose storage

glycogen

animal glucose storage

cellulose

carbohydrate that reinforces plant cell walls

chitin

carbohydrate that reinforces fungi cell walls and composes exoskeletons

lipid

‘fats’ used to store energy long term and provide insulation; important part of the cell membrane; hydrophobic, no momomers

triglyceride

lipid used for long term energy storage; insulate against heat loss

wax

lipid that functions to repel water and protect surfaces

steroid

lipids that function as chemical messengers

phospholipid

lipid that composes cell membranes and surrounds organelles

protein

macromolecule that serves multiple functions in the body, such as - storage, transport, regulation, movement, structure, enzyme activity, and immunity

amino acids

monomer of proteins

hemoglobin

protein that functions on red blood cells to transport oxygen

collagen

protein that reinforces the structure of the skin

pepsin

protein in the stomach that acts as a digestive enzyme

insulin

protein that regulates blood sugar

antibodies

proteins that serve in the immune system

nucleic acid

function to store and transmit genetic information

nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acid

enzyme

protein that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy

activation energy

energy needed to get a chemical reaction started

substrate

reactant in a chemical reaction using an enzyme

active site

the region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind

carbohydrate examples

sugars, starches, glycogen, cellulose

protein examples

hemoglobin, enzymes (like amylase), insulin

lipid examples

fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids

nucleic acid examples

DNA, RNA, ATP

denaturation

Change in shape of an enzyme caused by high temperature or other conditions; prevents it from functioning

ATP

example of a nucleic acid that serves as the energy molecule for the cell

Biomolecule

binds to active site to prevent enzyme from working correctly

coenzyme

substance needed for the enzyme to work which can slow the rate of a reaction