Biomolecules and Acid, Base, and Buffer

Acid

A substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

Base

A substance that decreases the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution.

Buffer

weak acid or base that can react with strong acids or bases to help prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH

pH for blood

between 7.34 and 7.45

Acidosis

excessive acidity of body fluids

Alkalosis

The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.

Alkaline

a basic substance; chemically, a substance that absorbs hydrogen ions or releases hydroxyl ions; in reference to natural water, a measure of the base content of the water.

Carbohydrates

bimolecule made of simple sugars

Monosaccharides

monomers of carbohydrates (Glucose, Fructose)

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of two monosaccharides (Lactose)

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide, consisting of amino sugar monomers, found in many fungal cell walls and in the exoskeletons of all arthropods.

Cellulose

polysaccharide consisting of glucose monomers that reinforces plant-cell walls

Glycogen

An extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscle of animals; the animal equivalent of starch.

Starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants consisting entirely of glucose. Used for long term energy.

glycosidic linkage

A covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides by a dehydration reaction.

Dehydration synthesis

A chemical reaction in which two molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule.

hydrolysis

Breaking down complex molecules by the chemical addition of water

lipid

Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Triglycerides

an energy-rich compound made up of a single molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid.

Phospholipids

a lipid consisting of a glycerol bound to two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

Hydrophilic

water loving

Hydrophobic

water hating

steroids

lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings

protein

A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of amino acids.

Amino acids

monomers of proteins

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

RNA

single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose

Nucleic Acids

macromolecules containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus