Biomolecules Vocabulary

A complete list of vocabulary terms and definitions covering biomolecules, enzymes, and chemical processes.

lipids

an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents, stores energy:made of fatty acid

carbohydrates

first source of energy for animals / made of mono-di-and polysaccharides.

proteins

used to make muscles / made of amino acids

nucleic acids

material that carries your DNA or genetic code to your offspring: made of nucleotides

enzyme

protein that speeds up chemical reactions; any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions

substrate

the substance acted upon by an enzyme. the enzyme breaks this down.

denaturing

modify (enzymes) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished.(doesn't match the active site any longer)

activation energy

the energy needed to start the chemical reaction of breaking down the substrate.

concentration

the strength of a solution.

biomolecules

organic molecule made of smaller sub-units. (proteins,carbohydrates,lipids, or nucleic acids are examples of a biomolecules.)

macromolecules

large molecules like protein, carbohydrate,lips or nucleic acid. They are made of sub units or micromolecules.

self replicating

reproduces or replicates its self.

monosaccharide

base unit of a sugar like sucrose, that has one ring. A simple sugar

disaccharide

a two sugar base unit, has two rings.

polysaccharide

made 4 or more rings, a complex sugar. Starch and cellulose are examples.

fatty acid

base unit of a lipid

saturated

lipid that is a solid at room temperature

unsaturated

lipis that is a liquid at room temperature.

peptide bond

bond that holds protein together

polymers

a compound consisting of large molecules made up of simple monomers (small molecules

monomers

a simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers

dehydration synthesis

lose of water while combining amino acids to form proteins.

hydrolysis

process of adding a water molecule in the protein molecule to break it apart into amino acids. Now the body can use the amino acids to make its own proteins.

catalase

enzyme that speeds up chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy

products

a chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction

reactants

a chemical substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction (will be broken down)