Organic Molecules

Monomer

The simplest form of a molecule that can join together to form polymers.

Polymer

A complex molecule made up of repeating units of monomers.

Nucleotide

The monomer unit of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA, consisting of two strands of nucleotides wound around each other.

Nitrogen Base

The part of a nucleotide that can vary; included are adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, often referred to as simple sugars.

Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrates formed from long chains of monosaccharides.

Glucose

A monosaccharide produced during photosynthesis, used for energy.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the cell wall of plants.

Chitin

A polysaccharide that makes up the exoskeleton of insects and crustaceans.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide stored in the liver and muscles of animals for energy.

Starch

A polysaccharide stored in plants for energy.

Fatty Acid

A building block of lipids, consisting of a hydrocarbon chain.

Glycerol

A component of lipids, serving as the head in lipid structure.

Saturated Fatty Acid

Fatty acids with all carbon-carbon bonds as single bonds, filled with hydrogen.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds, leading to fewer hydrogen atoms.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid that provides flexibility to the cell membrane.

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction where monomers bond together, releasing water.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that uses water to break down polymers into monomers.

Amino Acid

The monomer unit of proteins, there are 20 different types.

Polypeptide

A polymer made up of a chain of amino acids.

DNA

A double-stranded molecule that carries genetic instructions.

RNA

A single-stranded molecule that plays a role in protein synthesis.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants make glucose using sunlight.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose to produce ATP.

R group

The variable part of amino acids that determines their properties.

Chargaff's Rules

Rules stating that adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine in DNA.

Instructions

Information contained within nucleic acids that guide protein synthesis.

Insulation

One function of lipids, helping to retain heat in organisms.

Head

The glycerol part of a lipid structure.

Tail

The fatty acid chains in a lipid structure.

Sugar Molecule

The part of a nucleotide composed of pentose sugar.

Phosphate Group

Part of a nucleotide that connects to the sugar and forms the backbone.

Nitrogen Bases of DNA

Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine.

Nitrogen Bases of RNA

Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, Guanine.

Valine

An amino acid with specific properties that contribute to protein structure.

Leucine

An essential amino acid critical to protein synthesis.

Glycine

The simplest amino acid; its small size allows for tight protein structure.

Serine

An amino acid important in protein function.

Bonding of Nitrogen Bases

A pairs with T, and C pairs with G.

Types of Lipids

Fats, oils, and waxes.

Organic Molecules

Compounds mainly made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.