Organic Molecules in Living Organisms

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to organic molecules found in living organisms, including carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, often classified as sugars and starches.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that serve as the basic building blocks for carbohydrates, such as glucose.

Disaccharides

Sugars composed of two monosaccharide units, used for internal transport in plants.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides, used for structural support and energy storage.

Starch

A plant polysaccharide that serves as an energy storage molecule.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, providing rigidity.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules composed of nucleotides, fundamental for storing and transferring genetic information.

ATP

A nucleotide that serves as the primary energy carrier in cells.

Proteins

Biomacromolecules made up of amino acids, essential for various biological functions.

Peptide Bonds

Covalent bonds that link amino acids together in a polypeptide.

Primary Structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary Structure

Localized folding of a protein due to hydrogen bonding, forming structures like alpha helices and beta sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein determined by interactions among side chains.

Quaternary Structure

The structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains assemble into a single functional protein.

Fatty Acids

Building blocks of lipids, can be saturated or unsaturated.

Phospholipids

Molecules with a polar head and nonpolar tail, fundamental components of cell membranes.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak bonds formed between molecules or within large molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids.

Hydrophobic Interactions

Forces that cause nonpolar side chains of amino acids to aggregate away from water.

Vander Waals Interactions

Weak attractions between molecules or parts of molecules that result from transient local partial charges.