Biochemistry

cellulose

carbohydrate component of plant cell walls

amino acid

monomer unit of proteins

glycerol

the three carbon backbone molecule of the triglycerides

glycogen

an extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscle of animals

cholesterol

a lipid molecule that acts as a precursor for the synthesis of other biologically important steroids

ATP

(adenosine triphosphate) main energy source that cells use for most of their work

nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids; made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

fatty acid

long carbon chains with a carboxylic acid end; derived from the breakdown of fats

R-group

the chemical side group of an amino acid; differentiates each amino acid

carbohydrate

class of energy-giving nutrients that include starches, fibers and sugars

protein

an organic compound that is made of one or more chains of amino acids and that is a principal component of all cells

DNA

a long linear polymer of nucleotides shaped like a double helix

dehydration synthesis

a chemical reaction in which two molecules covalently bond to each other with the removal of a water molecule

hydrolysis

a chemical reaction that breaks bonds between two molecules by the addition of water

ester bond

the bond formed when fatty acid molecules are joined to glycerol molecules

ether bond

a glycosidic bond between two monosaccharides

peptide bond

a bond that links amino acids together in a protein

starch

a storage polysaccharide in plants consisting entirely of glucose

phospholipid

a molecule that is a constituent of cell membranes, having a polar, hydrophilic head and a nonpolar, hydrophobic tail

polymer

a large molecule consisting of many repeating chemical units or molecules linked together

monomer

small chemical unit that makes up a polymer

glucose

A monosaccharide that is an important source of energy.