Topic 3 - Biochemistry

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Biochemistry lecture notes, focusing on biomolecules, their building blocks, structures, functions, and dietary relevance.

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.

Biomolecules

The four main classes of organic molecules essential to life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

One of the four main classes of biomolecules, functioning as energy sources, energy storage, and structural components.

Lipids

One of the four main classes of biomolecules, characterized by being hydrophobic and nonpolar, and involved in long-term energy storage, cell structure, and hormones.

Proteins

One of the four main classes of biomolecules, consisting of amino acid chains, crucial for enzymes, structure, movement, transport, and immunity.

Nucleic Acids

One of the four main classes of biomolecules, responsible for storing genetic information and passing it to the next generation.

Carbon

An element that forms the backbone of most biomolecules, most stable with 4 bonds, and can form chain or ring structures.

Oxygen

An element most stable with 2 bonds.

Hydrogen

An element most stable with 1 bond.

Nitrogen

An element most stable with 3 bonds.

Macromolecules

Large molecules made of smaller subunit molecules.

Monomers

Small, individual subunit molecules that can join together to form larger polymers.

Polymers

Large molecules composed of repeating identical or similar monomer units.

Monosaccharide

The monomer (single sugar unit) of carbohydrates, like glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharide units, such as sucrose (glucose + fructose) and lactose (glucose + galactose).

Polysaccharide

A large carbohydrate polymer composed of many monosaccharide monomers, such as starch and cellulose.

Hydrophobic

A characteristic of lipids, meaning 'water-fearing' and indicating that they do not mix well with water.

Nonpolar

A characteristic of lipids, describing molecules that lack distinct positive and negative poles and do not dissolve in water.

Fatty Acid

A carbon-hydrogen chain that is a monomer of lipids, capable of having single or double bonds.

Saturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with no double bonds in its carbon chain, tending to be solid at room temperature and primarily found in animal fats.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

A fatty acid with at least one double bond in its carbon chain, tending to be liquid at room temperature.

Trans Fatty Acid

A type of unsaturated fatty acid with one or more double bonds in a 'trans' configuration, associated with increased risk of heart disease.

Cis Fatty Acid

A type of unsaturated fatty acid with one or more double bonds in a 'cis' configuration, resulting in a bent structure and typically liquid at room temperature.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, primarily serving as long-term energy storage.

Phospholipids

Lipids composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, forming the fundamental structure of cell plasma membranes.

Steroids

A class of lipids characterized by four fused hydrocarbon rings, functioning as hormones (chemical messages).

Lipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids with hydrophobic tails facing inward, forming the barrier for cell plasma membranes.

Amino Acid

The monomer (subunit molecule) of proteins, linking together to form polypeptide chains.

Polypeptide

A chain of connected amino acids, which folds into a specific 3D shape to become a functional protein.

Protein Structure

The specific 3D folded shape of a protein, which is determined by its sequence of amino acids and dictates its function.

Enzyme

A type of protein that acts as a catalyst, speeding up biochemical reactions in the body.

Structural Protein

A type of protein that provides shape and support to cells and tissues (e.g., collagen, keratin).

Contractile Protein

A type of protein involved in muscle movement (e.g., actin, myosin).

Transport Protein

A type of protein that carries essential substances throughout the body (e.g., hemoglobin).

Hormone (Protein Type)

A type of protein that regulates body metabolism, immunity, and the nervous system (e.g., insulin).

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A type of nucleic acid that stores and carries genetic information, characterized by its double helix shape.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

A type of nucleic acid involved in protein construction and the transfer of genetic information.

Nucleotide

The monomer (subunit molecule) of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Double Helix

The characteristic twisted-ladder shape of the DNA molecule.

Genetic Code

The sequence of nucleotides in DNA that determines the order of amino acids in a protein.

Energy Dense Foods

Foods that have a high calorie content relative to their weight.

Nutrient Dense Foods

Foods that have a high nutrient content relative to their weight.

Calories

A unit of measurement for the amount of energy provided by food, with fats having the highest calories per gram.