Vocabulary for Unit 1 - Biochemistry

active site

the region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

allosteric site

a special spot on an enzyme where other molecules can attach, changing how the enzyme works.

amino acid

a building block of proteins, made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

amphipathic

a molecule has one part that likes water and another part that does not, so it can interact with both water and fats

anabolic

processes in the body that build things up, like muscles and tissues, using energy.

carbohydrate

a type of nutrient that provides energy to the body. It includes sugars and starches found in foods like bread, pasta, and fruits.

carbon

basic building block of life and can be found in all living things. It is a chemical element that can form many compounds, including organic materials like sugars, proteins, and fats.

catabolic

to processes in the body that break down molecules for energy, like when the body uses fat or muscle for fuel.

catalyst

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself.

coenzyme

a non-protein molecule that assists enzyme activity by helping to catalyze reactions.

denaturation

the process in which proteins lose their structure and function due to external stress, such as heat or pH changes.

disaccharide

a carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds.

hydrogen bond

a weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, crucial for maintaining the structure of water and proteins.

hydrophilic

Substances that have an affinity for water and can interact with it, often being polar or charged.

hydrophobic

Substances that repel water, typically nonpolar and unable to interact with water.

ion

A charged atom or molecule that has lost or gained one or more electrons.

lipid

A group of hydrophobic organic molecules that include fats, oils, and steroids, which are insoluble in water.

macromolecule

Large molecules made up of smaller subunits, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

monomer

The basic building block of a polymer, consisting of a single unit that can join with others to form larger structures.

monosaccaride

A simple sugar that is the most basic form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar molecule like glucose or fructose.

non-polar molecule

A molecule that does not have distinct positive and negative poles, meaning it has an even distribution of electric charge, often hydrophobic in nature.

nucleic acid

Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA and RNA.

nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

organic molecule

Any molecule that contains carbon and is found in living organisms, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

peptide bond

A covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis, linking the amino group of one amino acid to the carboxyl group of another.

polar molecule

A molecule with regions of positive and negative charge due to an unequal sharing of electrons, resulting in a dipole moment.

polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating subunits, or monomers, typically linked by covalent bonds. Examples include proteins, nucleic acids, and synthetic materials like plastics.

protein

Organic compounds composed of amino acids that perform a wide range of functions in the body, including catalyzing biochemical reactions and providing structural support.

substrate

A molecule upon which an enzyme acts, allowing for biochemical reactions to occur. Substrates undergo transformation into products during enzymatic activity.

water

A vital compound made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, serving as a solvent in biological systems and playing a crucial role in various biochemical reactions.