Molecules of Life

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, highlighting their structures, functions, and importance in biological systems.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, consisting of nucleotides.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, often serving as energy sources.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules, primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen, that are insoluble in water.

Directional Polymerization

The process in nucleic acids where polymerization occurs only at the 3' end.

Phosphate Group

A functional group consisting of a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms, key component of nucleotides.

Deoxyribose

A 5-carbon sugar present in DNA nucleotides.

Ribose

A 5-carbon sugar present in RNA nucleotides.

Pyrimidines

A class of nitrogenous bases that include cytosine, thymine (in DNA), and uracil (in RNA).

Purines

A class of nitrogenous bases that include adenine and guanine.

Chargaff's Rule

The principle stating that in DNA, the amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of guanine equals cytosine.

Antiparallel Structure

The orientation of two strands of DNA running in opposite directions, crucial for the double helix configuration.

Glycosidic Linkage

The bond formed between carbohydrate monomers during the formation of polysaccharides.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide made of β-1,4-glycosidic linkages, found in plant cell walls.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid formed from glycerol and three fatty acids, serving as energy storage.

Phospholipids

Molecules consisting of a glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, key components of cell membranes.

Hydrophobic

Describing molecules that do not mix well with water.

Hydrophilic

Describing molecules that are attracted to water and can dissolve in it.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms, maximizing hydrogen atoms.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds in the carbon chain, creating kinks.

Ribozymes

RNA molecules capable of catalyzing biochemical reactions, supporting certain enzymatic functions.

Oligosaccharides

Short chains of carbohydrate monomers, often involved in cell recognition.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides linked together, serving as energy sources or structural support.

NAD+

A coenzyme involved in redox reactions, derived from niacin (vitamin B3).

cAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a secondary messenger important in many biological processes.

Hydrophobic Interactions

Interactions between nonpolar molecules in aqueous environments, leading to the formation of structures like lipid bilayers.