Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Cell Membranes Vocabulary

Flashcards defining key vocabulary terms related to carbohydrates, lipids, cell membranes, and membrane proteins from the lecture.

Simple sugars

Monosaccharides or disaccharides that provide energy.

Complex carbohydrates

Polysaccharides that can provide energy or biological structure.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate that provides structure and is very difficult to break down into energy, with pretty much only certain bacteria able to break it down.

Chitin

A compound and complex carbohydrate that gives structure within the body.

Reducing sugars

Monomers or dimers, such as glucose or maltose, that possess an OH group.

Starch

A polysaccharide held together by strong covalent bonds forming long chains.

Triglycerides

Lipids, including fats and oils, that provide energy when broken down by the body.

Steroids

A type of lipid that includes different hormones within the body.

Phospholipids

Structural lipids containing a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail that form cell membranes in the body.

Hydrophobic tail

The part of a phospholipid that repels or hides from water.

Hydrophilic head

The part of a phospholipid that, along with the hydrophobic tail, allows phospholipids to form membranes.

Membrane proteins

Structures embedded in lipid bilayers—such as channels and signal receptors—that mediate most interactions between cells.