Biology Vocab Prep

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules that provide quick energy for cells.

Glucose

A simple sugar used by cells to make energy.

Lipid

Macromolecules including fats and oils; used for long-term energy and cell membranes.

Monomer

A small building block that joins to make a polymer.

Nucleotide

The monomer (building block) of nucleic acids.

Nucleic Acid

Macromolecules that store and carry genetic information, such as DNA and RNA.

Polymer

A large molecule made of many repeating monomers.

Protein

A macromolecule made of amino acids that performs many jobs in cells.

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions without being used up.

Reactant

A substance that starts a chemical reaction.

Product

A substance made by a chemical reaction.

Cellular Respiration

The process cells use to break down glucose and make ATP energy.

Aerobic Respiration

Cellular respiration that requires oxygen and produces lots of ATP.

Anaerobic Respiration

Energy production that happens without oxygen and produces less ATP.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration; breaks glucose into smaller molecules and makes some ATP.

Krebs Cycle

A stage of aerobic respiration that breaks down molecules and produces electron carriers.

Electron Transport Chain

The final stage of aerobic respiration that uses electrons to make lots of ATP.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that allows glycolysis to continue when oxygen is unavailable.

Lactic Acid

A substance produced during lactic acid fermentation when oxygen is limited.

ATP

The main energy-carrying molecule used by cells.

DNA

A nucleic acid that stores genetic instructions.

RNA

A nucleic acid that helps use genetic information to make proteins.

Macromolecule

A large molecule important to living things; includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Peptide Bond

The bond that connects amino acids together to form proteins.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate made of many sugar molecules joined together.

Fatty Acid

A building block of many lipids.

ADP

A lower-energy molecule that can gain a phosphate to become ATP.

Oxygen

A molecule needed for aerobic cellular respiration.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product released during aerobic cellular respiration.

ATP Synthase

A protein that helps produce ATP during the electron transport chain.

Four Major Macromolecules

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Protein Monomer

Amino acid.

Nucleic Acid Monomer

Nucleotide.

Purpose of Cellular Respiration

To break down glucose and produce ATP.

Oxygen Requirement for Aerobic Respiration

Yes, aerobic respiration requires oxygen.

Oxygen Requirement for Anaerobic Respiration

No, anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen.

First Stage of Cellular Respiration

Glycolysis.

Cellular Process When Oxygen is Limited

Cells can use fermentation so glycolysis can continue.

Order of Stages in Cellular Respiration

Glycolysis -> Krebs Cycle -> Electron Transport Chain.

Reactants vs. Products

Reactants go into a chemical reaction; products come out.

Main Energy Molecule of the Cell

ATP.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

A type of anaerobic process that produces lactic acid when oxygen is limited.

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic

Aerobic requires oxygen; anaerobic does not.

Monomer vs. Polymer

A monomer is one building block; a polymer is made of many building blocks.

DNA vs. RNA

DNA stores genetic information; RNA helps use that information to make proteins.

ATP vs. ADP

ATP has more stored energy; ADP has less and can be converted back into ATP.

Amino Acid

The building blocks (monomers) of proteins.